have my afternoon spoilt. See, I
have the key of the gate here, we will go through the plantation and up
to the back of the beacon."

She led the way, giving him no time to protest, and he followed her,
vaguely uneasy. Through the plantation their feet fell noiselessly upon
a carpet of wet leaves; outside on the springy turf the rabbits
scampered away in hundreds to their holes. Then they began to climb.
Beneath them the country expanded and rolled away like a piece of
patchwork, dimly seen through a veil of mist. Wilhelmina turned towards
him with a laugh. There was more colour now in her cheeks. She was
breathless before they reached the summit and laid her hand upon his arm
for support.

"Confess," she said, "you like me better here than in London, don't
you?"

"You are more natural," he answered. "You are more like what I would
have you be."

She sat down on a piece of grey rock. They were at the summit now. Below
was the great house with its magnificent avenues and park, the tiny
village, and the quaint church. Beyond, a spreading landscape of
undulating meadows and well-tilled land. The same thought came to both
of them.

"Behold," she murmured, "my possessions."

He nodded.

"You should be very proud of your home," he said quietly. "It is very
beautiful."

She turned towards him. Her face was as cold and destitute of emotion as
the stone on which she sat.

"Do you wonder," she asked, "why I have never married?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"A matter of temperament, perhaps," he said. "You are inclined to be
independent, aren't you?"

"There have been things in my life--a very secret chamber," she said
slowly. "I think that some day I shall tell you about it, for I may need
help."

"I shall be glad," he said simply. "You know that!"

She rose and shook out her skirts.

"Come," she said, "it is too cold to sit down. I am going to take you to
Onetree Farm. Mrs. Foulton must give us some tea. I have a reason, too,"
she added more slowly, "for taking you there."

CHAPTER VIII

THE MISSING LETTY

Macheson knew directly they entered the farm that Wilhelmina had brought
him here for some purpose. For Mrs. Foulton straightened herself at the
sight of him, and forgot even her usual respectful courtesy to the lady
of the Manor.

"I have brought Mr. Macheson to see you, Mrs. Foulton," Wilhelmina said.
"We want you to give us some tea--and there is a question which I think
you ought to ask