eclare his presence at once or else lose the
opportunity of a private interview which he sought. When she saw him she
said at once and without any salutation:

'What are you doing there; why are you following me?'

'I wanted to see you alone. I could not get near you on account of that
infernal old woman.' Stephen's face grew hard.

'On account of whom?' she asked with dangerous politeness.

'Miss Rowly; your aunt.'

'Don't you think, Mr. Everard,' she said icily, 'that it is at least an
unpardonable rudeness to speak that way, and to me, of the woman I love
best in all the world?'

'Sorry!' he said in the offhand way of younger days, 'I apologise. Fact
is, I was angry that she wouldn't let me see you.'

'Not let you see me!' she said as if amazed. 'What do mean?'

'Why, I haven't been able to see you alone ever since I went to meet you
on Caester Hill.'

'But why should you see me alone?' she asked as if still in amazement.
'Surely you can say anything you have to say before my aunt.' With an
unwisdom for which an instant later he blamed himself he blurted out:

'Why, old girl, you yourself did not think her presence necessary when
you asked me to meet you on the hill.'

'When was that?' She saw that he was angry and wanted to test him; to
try how far he would venture. He was getting dangerous; she must know
the measure of what she had to fear.

He fell into the trap at once. His debts being paid, fear was removed,
and all the hectoring side of the man was aroused. His antagonist was a
woman; and he had already had in his life so many unpleasant scenes with
women that this was no new experience. This woman had, by her own
indiscretion, put a whip into his hand; and, if necessary to secure his
own way, by God! he meant to use it! These last days had made her a more
desirable possession in his eyes. The vastness of her estate had taken
hold on him, and his father's remorseless intention with regard to his
will would either keep him with very limited funds, or leave him
eventually a pauper if he forestalled his inheritance. The desire of her
wealth had grown daily, and it was now the main force in bringing him
here to-day. And to this was now added the personal desire which her
presence evoked. Stephen, at all times beautiful, had never looked more
lovely. In the days since she had met him on the hilltop, a time that to
her seemed so long ago, she had grown to be a woman, and there is some
s