id not quite see how this
was to be done, since it was understood that as Harry would take nothing
from Cecily, so Cecily would refuse anything from Harry.

"We must wait and see how it all turns out," said he.

"I hate people who say that," grumbled Mina disconsolately. "And I do
think that the Ivers have grown extraordinarily stupid--caught it from
Bob Broadley, I suppose."

When injustice springs not from judgment but from temper, it is not
worth arguing against. Neeld held his tongue and they sat silent on the
seat by the river, looking across to Merrion and hearing the voices of
their friends through the open windows of the Long Gallery.

Presently there came to them through the stillness of the night the
sound of wheels, not on the Blentmouth side, but up the valley, on the
Mingham and Fillingford road. The sound ceased without the appearance of
any vehicle, but it had reminded Neeld of the progress of time.

"It must be getting late," he said, rising. "I'll go and see if they
think of starting home. Did you hear wheels on the road--toward the
Pool?"

"Bob Broadley's cart coming for him, I suppose."

"No, I don't think so. He's going back to Fairholme with us. I heard him
say so."

Mina was languidly indifferent, and Mr Neeld trotted off into the house.
Mina sat on, frowning at the idea that in a few minutes she would have
to go in and say good-by; for the voices came no more from the Long
Gallery and she heard the guests laughing and chattering in the hall, as
they prepared for departure. Suddenly she discerned the figure of a man
coming into sight across the river. He walked slowly, as it seemed
stealthily, till he came to the end of the footbridge. Then he halted
and looked up at the house. It was gayly lighted. After waiting a moment
the man turned back and disappeared up the road in the direction of
Mingham. Mina rose and strolled to the bridge. She crossed it and looked
up the road. She could make out dimly the stranger's retreating form.

She heard Cecily calling to her, and ran back to the house. A wonderful
idea had come into her head, born of a vaguely familiar aspect that the
bearing of the man had for her. But she laughed at it, telling herself
that it was all nonsense; and as she joined in the talk and farewells it
grew faint and was almost forgotten. Yet she whispered to old Neeld with
a laugh:

"I saw a man on the road just now who looked rather like Harry. I
couldn't see him properly, y