the girl's photograph in the young Englishman's possession made it
appear highly probable that she could assist him in tracing the family.
Apart from this, he could not quite analyze his motives for desiring to
see more of the Englishwoman, though he was conscious of the desire. Her
picture had been a companion to him in his wanderings, and now and then
he had found a certain solace in gazing at it. Now that he had seen her
in the flesh he was willing to admit that he had never met any woman who
had made such an impression on him.

It was, of course, possible for him to call at the vicarage, but though
he meant to adopt that course as a last resort, there were certain
objections to it. He did not know the girl's name, and there was nobody
to say a word for him. So far as his experience went, the English were
apt to be reticent and reserved to a stranger. It seemed to him that,
although the girl might give him the information which he required,
their acquaintance probably would terminate then and there. She would,
he decided, be less likely to stand upon her guard if he could contrive
to meet her casually without prearrangement.

On the fourth day fortune favored him, for he came upon her endeavoring
to open a tottering gate where a stony hill track led off from the
smooth white road. As it happened, he had received a letter from Mrs.
Hastings that morning, fixing the date of her departure, and it was
necessary for him to discharge the duty with which Hawtrey had saddled
him as soon as possible. The Grange, where he understood Miss Ismay was
then staying, lay thirty miles away across the fells, and he had decided
to start early on the morrow. That being the case, it was clear that he
must make the most of this opportunity; but he realized that it would be
advisable to proceed circumspectly. Saying nothing, he set his shoulder
to the gate, and lifting it on its decrepit hinges swung it open.

"Thank you," said the girl. Remembering that the words were the last
that she had said to him, she smiled, as she added: "It is the second
time you have appeared when I was in difficulties."

In spite of his resolution to proceed cautiously, a twinkle crept into
Wyllard's eyes, and suggested that the fact she had mentioned was not so
much of a coincidence as it probably appeared. She saw the look that
told her what he was thinking, and was about to pass on, when he stopped
her with a gesture.

"The fact is, I have been looking ou