`` I can not think any music to-night , '' she wrote , `` I must go home , for my head aches and I feel very stupid . '' `` Very well , Kilmeny . Now , do n't worry , little girl . It will all come out all right . '' Evidently she did not share his confidence , for her head drooped again as they walked together across the orchard . At the entrance of the wild cherry lane she paused and looked at him half reproachfully , her eyes filling again . She seemed to be bidding him a mute farewell . With an impulse of tenderness which he could not control , Eric put his arm about her and kissed her red , trembling mouth . She started back with a little cry . A burning colour swept over her face , and the next moment she fled swiftly up the darkening lane . The sweetness of that involuntary kiss clung to Eric 's lips as he went homeward , half-intoxicating him . He knew that it had opened the gates of womanhood to Kilmeny . Never again , he felt , would her eyes meet his with their old unclouded frankness . When next he looked into them he knew that he should see there the consciousness of his kiss . Behind her in the orchard that night Kilmeny had left her childhood . CHAPTER XII . A PRISONER OF LOVE When Eric betook himself to the orchard the next evening he had to admit that he felt rather nervous . He did not know how the Gordons would receive him and certainly the reports he had heard of them were not encouraging , to say the least of it . Even Mrs. Williamson , when he had told her where he was going , seemed to look upon him as one bent on bearding a lion in his den . `` I do hope they wo n't be very uncivil to you , Master , '' was the best she could say .
He expected Kilmeny to be XXXXX the orchard before him , for he had been delayed by a call from one of the trustees ; but she was nowhere to be seen .
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