I was therefore obliged to return to the house, where we remained in the drawing room till my aunt joined us. I saw her coming across the lawn, and went to the door as if to meet her, when I heard her desire the servant to tell Mr. Henry that she wished to see him in her boudoir as soon as he came in. I had no doubt but that he must have been discovered, and I returned to the drawing room in the greatest uneasiness, for I already began to have some unpleasant suspicions as to how the matter was likely to terminate.

I afterwards discovered that as I had supposed, my aunt's suspicions were aroused, and as she knew the grounds perfectly, she had returned to a spot from which she could observe any one issuing from the thicket in question. She had not waited long before she espied poor Harry, who, little suspecting that any lookout was kept upon him, was walking quietly away with the intention of returning to the house as if from a different direction.

My aunt made no-attempt to conceal herself, and on seeing her alone and evidently watching him, Harry soon suspected that he had been found out. He was sadly at a loss to know to what to do. But as he is a bold courageous boy, he was not long in making up his mind to face the worst. “All she can do to me,” he said to himself, “is to give me a flogging, and after all, the sight I have seen is well worth paying such a price for.” I strongly suspect, however, that he did not anticipate the magnitude of the price he was to pay.

Soon after my aunt came in, I made some excuse to retire to my own room. I was afraid she might have directed me to remain with Mr. Everard, but she said nothing and took no notice of me nor of what had occurred. I left my door open and listened till I heard Harry come in. I wanted sadly to speak to him, but as he followed the servant immediately to the boudoir, I had no opportunity. I then heard my aunt leave the drawing room and proceed to her own room, so I hastened to pass into the store closet that I might ascertain and get a view of what I now apprehended was going to take place.