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He was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins, from a

conviction that, if they saw him depart, they could not fail to

conjecture his design, and he was not willing to have the attempt

known till its success could be known likewise; for, though

feeling almost secure, and with reason, for Charlotte had been

tolerably encouraging, he was comparatively diffident since the

adventure of Wednesday. His reception, however, was of the most

flattering kind. Miss Lucas perceived him from an upper window as

he walked towards the house, and instantly set out to meet him

accidentally in the lane. But little had she dared to hope that

so much love and eloquence awaited her there.