A walk round the grounds was now proposed, and most readily assented
to by me, who longed to speak to Rosa; but having no hopes of
accomplishing it, evasive of the argus eyes of the Misses Tonics, I
remained in the rear of the pedestrian group, and hastily scribbling
the following lines with my pencil, I determined giving them to her as
the moment of opportunity served: the billet run thus:--“Doubt all
you hear from Tonic relative to St. Alban’s _engaged_ heart--’tis only
Rosa’s, imperviously veiled to mislead the babbler, by the ingenuity
of my uncle; meet me at the Rectory gate, to-morrow morning, at seven,
where I will explain all.” I now mixed with the group, and crossing one
of the Chinese bridges, over which a willow hung in rich profusion, and
occasioned us to pass singly, I slipped it into her hand, and she as
dexterously consigned it to her pocket.
Willing to unfold the secret to her inspection, I turned the
conversation on epigrams, charades, enigmas, &c. observing I was
certain Miss Fitzclarence could favour the company with some, either of
her own production or selection. This roused the mettle of Miss Tonic,
who drew out her pocket-book, and read several.