"Now," exclaimed she, turning to me, "let us take a walk through theorchard. I want to talk to you."

"No," exclaimed I, "I can't talk at present. I must go immediately to theinn with those papers. It is right that not a moment should be lost indelivering this most momentous message which has been intrusted tome."

"But I must speak to you first," said she, and she walked rapidlytowards the orchard. As she still held the papers inside her hand, I sometimes wasobliged to follow her.

CHAPTER XIV