removed.  She informed her niece that she wished her to go with her to a thicket on the other side of the wheat field which that young lady had advised should be ploughed for pickles, to look for a turkey-hen which she had reason to believe had been ridiculous enough to hatch out a brood of young at this improper season.  Annie demurred, for she did not want to go to look for turkeys, nor did she want to give Mr Croft any opportunities; but the old lady insisted, and carried her off.  Croft felt that there was something very bare and raw-boned about the position in which he was left with Miss March; and he thought that lady might readily suppose that Mrs Keswick’s object was to leave them together.  He imagined that, himself, though why she should be so kind to him he could not feel quite certain.  However, his path lay straight before him, and if the, old lady had whitewashed it to make it more distinct, he did not intend to refuse to walk in it.

“I have been looking at that hill over yonder,” said he, “with a cluster of pine trees on the brow of it.  I should think there would be a fine view from that hill.  Would you not like to walk up there?”

Lawrence felt that this proposition was quite in keeping with the bareness of the previous proceedings, but he did not wish to stay in the house and be subject to the unexpected return of the old lady and her niece.

“Certainly,” said Miss March; “nothing would please me better.”  And so they walked up Pine Top Hill.

When they reached this elevated position, they sat down on the rock on which Mrs Null had once conversed with Freddy, and admired the view, which was, indeed, a very fine one.  After about five minutes of this, which Lawrence thought was quite enough, he turned to his companion and said: 

“Miss March, I do not wish you to suppose that I brought you up here for the purpose of viewing those rolling hills and distant forests.”

“You didn’t?” exclaimed Roberta, in a tone of surprise.

“No,” said he; “I brought you here because it is a place where I could speak freely to you, and tell you I love you.”

“That was not at all necessary,” said Miss March.  “We had the lower floor of the house entirely to ourselves, and I am sure that Mrs Keswick would not have returned until you had waved a handkerchief, or given some signal from the back of the house that it was all over.”

Croft looked at her with a troubled expression.  “Miss March,” said he, “do you not think I am in earnest?  Do you not believe what I have said?” “I have not the slightest doubt you are in earnest,” she answered.  “The magnitude of the preparation proves it.”  “I am glad you said that, for it gives me the opportunity for making an explanation,” said Lawrence.  “Our meeting at this place may be a carefully contrived stratagem, but it was not contrived by me.  I am very well aware that Mr Keswick also wishes to marry you—­”