They walked on by the river.  They began to speak of their separate plans.  He would quicken his departure from England, and she would remain where she was, at least as long as Helena remained.  The poor dear girls should have their disappointment broken to them gently, and, as the first preliminary, Miss Twinkleton should be confided in by Rosa, even in advance of the reappearance of Mr. Grewgious.  It should be made clear in all quarters that she and Edwin were the best of friends.  There had never been so serene an understanding between them since they were first affianced.  And yet there was one reservation on each side; on hers, that she intended through her guardian to withdraw herself immediately from the tuition of her music-master; on his, that he did already entertain some wandering speculations whether it might ever come to pass that he would know more of Miss Landless.

The bright, frosty day declined as they walked and spoke together.  The sun dipped in the river far behind them, and the old city lay red before them, as their walk drew to a close.  The moaning water cast its seaweed duskily at their feet, when they turned to leave its margin; and the rooks hovered above them with hoarse cries, darker splashes in the darkening air.

‘I will prepare Jack for my flitting soon,’ said Edwin, in a low voice, ’and I will but see your guardian when he comes, and then go before they speak together.  It will be better done without my being by.  Don’t you think so?’

‘Yes.’

‘We know we have done right, Rosa?’

‘Yes.’

‘We know we are better so, even now?’

‘And shall be far, far better so by-and-by.’

Still there was that lingering tenderness in their hearts towards the old positions they were relinquishing, that they prolonged their parting.  When they came among the elm-trees by the Cathedral, where they had last sat together, they stopped as by consent, and Rosa raised her face to his, as she had never raised it in the old days;—­for they were old already.

‘God bless you, dear!  Good-bye!’

‘God bless you, dear!  Good-bye!’

They kissed each other fervently.

‘Now, please take me home, Eddy, and let me be by myself.’

‘Don’t look round, Rosa,’ he cautioned her, as he drew her arm through his, and led her away.  ‘Didn’t you see Jack?’

‘No!  Where?’

’Under the trees.  He saw us, as we took leave of each other.  Poor fellow! he little thinks we have parted.  This will be a blow to him, I am much afraid!’

She hurried on, without resting, and hurried on until they had passed under the gatehouse into the street; once there, she asked: 

’Has he followed us?  You can look without seeming to.  Is he behind?’

’No.  Yes, he is!  He has just passed out under the gateway.  The dear, sympathetic old fellow likes to keep us in sight.  I am afraid he will be bitterly disappointed!’