Here's a short story:

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 won't be very uncivil to you, Master," was the best she could say. 

He expected Kilmeny to be in the orchard before him, for he had been delayed by a call from one of the trustees; but she was nowhere to be seen. He walked across it to the wild cherry lane; but at its entrance he stopped short in sudden dismay. 

Neil Gordon had stepped from behind the trees and stood confronting him, with blazing eyes, and lips which writhed in emotion so great that at first it prevented him from speaking. 

With a thrill of dismay Eric instantly understood what must have taken place. Neil had discovered that he and Kilmeny had been meeting in the orchard, and beyond doubt had carried that tale to Janet and Thomas Gordon. He realized how unfortunate it was that this should have happened before he had had time to make his own explanation. It would probably prejudice Kilmeny's guardians still further against him. At this point in his thoughts Neil's pent up passion suddenly found vent in a burst of wild words.  (End of story)

Provide your best guess for the following question. Give ONLY the guess, no other words or explanation.

For example:

Guess: <most likely guess, as short as possible; not a complete sentence, just the guess!>

Here are a few examples of questions and answers:

Question: What is the name of the chapter?
Guess: A Prisoner Of Love

Question: Where would Eric go tomorrow?
Guess: The orchard.

Question: How did he feel?
Guess: Nervous.

Question: Who would be greeting him?
Guess: Kilmeny

Question: Who was he concerned would not be happy to see him?
Guess: The Gordons.

Question: Who was also concerned when learning about the meeting?
Guess: Mrs. Williamson.

Question: What title did she refer to him by?
Guess: Master

Question: What delayed him from seeing Kilmeny?
Guess: A call from a trustee.

Question: Was she at the orchard?
Guess: No.

Question: What happened when he go to the entrance?
Guess: He stopped short.

Now answer the following question in the same format.

Question: Who startled him?

Neil Gordon.