Matters being in this advancing state, Stockdale was rathersurprised one cloudy evening, while sitting in his room, at hearingher speak in low tones of expostulation to some one at the door. Itwas nearly dark, but the shutters were not yet closed, nor thecandles lighted; and Stockdale was tempted to stretch his headtowards the window. He saw outside the door a young man in clothesof a whitish colour, and upon reflection judged their wearer to bethe well-built and rather handsome miller who lived below. Themiller's voice was alternately low and firm, and sometimes itreached the level of positive entreaty; but what the words wereStockdale could in no way hear.

　　Before the colloquy had ended, the minister's attention wasattracted by a second incident. Opposite Lizzy's home grew a clumpof laurels, forming a thick and permanent shade. One of the laurelboughs now quivered against the light background of sky, and in amoment the head of a man peered out, and remained still. He seemedto be also much interested in the conversation at the door, and wasplainly lingering there to watch and listen. Had Stockdale stood inany other relation to Lizzy than that of a lover, he might have goneout and investigated the meaning of this: but being as yet but anunprivileged ally, he did nothing more than stand up and showhimself against the firelight, whereupon the listener disappeared,and Lizzy and the miller spoke in lower tones.

　　Stockdale was made so uneasy by the circumstance, that as soon asthe miller was gone, he said, 'Mrs. Newberry, are you aware that youwere watched just now, and your conversation heard?'

　　'When?' she said.

　　'When you were talking to that miller. A man was looking from thelaurel-tree as jealously as if he could have eaten you.'

　　She showed more concern than the trifling event seemed to demand,and he added, 'Perhaps you were talking of things you did not wishto be overheard?'

　　'I was talking only on business,' she said.

　　'Lizzy, be frank!' said the young man. 'If it was only on business,why should anybody wish to listen to you?'

　　She looked curiously at him. 'What else do you think it could be,then?'

　　'Well--the only talk between a young woman and man that is likely toamuse an eavesdropper.'

　　'Ah yes,' she said, smiling in spite of her preoccupation. 'Well,my cousin Owlett has spoken to me about matrimony, every now andthen, that's true; but he was not speaking of it then. I wish hehad been speaking of it, with all my heart. It would have been muc............