"
I liked this scheme, and Provis was quite elated by it. We agreed
that it should be carried into execution, and that Provis should
never recognize us if we came below Bridge, and rowed past Mill Pond
Bank. But we further agreed that he should pull down the blind in
that part of his window which gave upon the east, whenever he saw
us and all was right.
Our conference being now ended, and everything arranged, I rose to
go; remarking to Herbert that he and I had better not go home
together, and that I would take half an hour's start of him. "I
don't like to leave you here," I said to Provis, "though I cannot
doubt your being safer here than near me. Good by!"
"Dear boy," he answered, clasping my hands, "I don't know when we
may meet again, and I don't like good by. Say good night!"
"Good night! Herbert will go regularly between us, and when the
time comes you may be certain I shall be ready. Good night, good
night!"
We thought it best that he should stay in his own rooms; and we
left him on the landing outside his door, holding a light over the
stair-rail to light us down stairs. Looking back at him, I thought
of the first night of his return, when our positions were reversed,
and when I little supposed my heart could ever be as heavy and
anxious at parting from him as it was now.
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