I was afraid of exciting suspicion by doing this, but he was so urgent that I consented. Accordingly when I got into the water, letting my bathing gown fly open I began to frolic with my aunt, throwing the water upon her, and trying to excite her to punish me in the usual manner, so as to give me the opportunity of retaliating upon her. At first, however, she did not seem at all inclined to join in the sport, but after a little, I observed her cast a sharp glance at the thicket, where there was a slight rustling among the bushes. I was sadly afraid that Harry would be discovered, but I was soon relieved of my apprehension by my aunt encouraging my playful tricks. Very soon we were both quite naked, and busily employed in applying the fresh birch to each other's posteriors.

After indulging in this amusement for some time we dressed and returned to the house. Just as we were approaching it, I was surprised to see Mr. Everard coming towards us. My aunt also seemed somewhat astonished, and, after speaking apart to him for a few minutes, asked him to return to the house with me saying that she would be with us in a few minutes. I was now dreadfully alarmed, for I at once suspected what was really the case-that my aunt, on seeing the movement in the thicket, had supposed it was Mr. Everard, who, she knew, was to return that day, and now finding he had not been there, she had returned to discover who had taken his place.

I had no doubt she would discover poor Harry. I would have given the world to have been able to give him warning to keep out of sight, but I could devise no pretext for leaving Mr. Everard, who had evidently received instructions to keep me in sight.