The party kept together; but Thomas and Fanny
lagged somewhat till they came to a little opening in the underwood,
which Thomas said was a short cut, and he pressed her to try it with
him. She agreed, and they slipped out of sight nearly, but not,
quite, unobserved. Thomas professed himself afraid Fanny might be
tired, and offered his arm. She again consented, not without a
flutter, and so they reached a clearing with three or four paths
branching from it. Thomas was puzzled, and as for Fanny, she knew
nothing. To add to their perplexity some drops of rain were felt.
She was a little frightened, and was anxious to try one of the most
likely tracks which looked, she thought, as if it went to the
springs, where they could take shelter in the cottage with the
others. Thomas, however, was doubtful, and proposed that they should
stand up in a shed which had been used for faggot-making. The rain,
which now came down heavily, enforced his arguments, and she felt
obliged to stay till the shower had ceased.
"Only think, Fanny," he said, "to be here alone with you!"
He called her Fanny now; he had always called her Miss Allen before.
"Yes," said she, not knowing what answer to make.
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