averted his gaze for perhaps thirty seconds then, yielding
himself to this delight of the eyes, studied all her loveliness from
dark, drooping lashes and rosy, parted lips down to that slender,
dainty foot. And as he gazed his eyes grew tender, his fierce hands
unclenched themselves and then my lady snored again unmistakably,
stirred, sighed and opened her eyes.

"John!" she whispered, then, sitting up, uttered a shy gasp and ordered
her draperies with quick, furtive hands, while the Major, eyes
instantly averted, became his most stately self.

"O John are you come at last and I asleep? And I fear I snored John,
did I? Did I indeed, John?"

The Major, gaze bent on the polished floor, bowed.

"I don't as a rule--I vow I don't! 'tis hateful to snore and I don't
snore--ask Aunt Belinda. And O pray John don't be so grim and stately."

"So," said he gently but his voice a little hoarse, "so you have--have
thought better of your bargain, it seems."

"Bargain, dear John?"

"Your--cavalier, madam. Mr. Dalroyd rides alone after all, 'twould
appear."

"Mr. Dalroyd!" she repeated, busied with a lock of glossy hair that had
escaped its bonds.

The Major bowed with his gravest and grandest air.

"Nay prithee John," she sighed, "beseech thee, don't be dignified. And
the hour so late and I all alone here."

"And pray madam, why are you here?" he questioned. Now at this,
meeting his cold, grey eye, she flushed and quailed slightly.

"Doth it--displease you, Major John?"

"Here is no place for you, madam, nor--nor ever can be, nor any woman
henceforth."

At this she caught her breath, the rosy flush ebbed and left her pale.

"Must I go, sir?" she asked humbly, but with eyes very bright.

"When you are ready I will attend you as far as your own house."

"If I go, John," said she a little breathlessly, "if I go you will come
to me to-morrow and plead forgiveness on your knees, and I am minded to
let you."

"I think not, my lady--there is a limit I find even to such love as
mine."

"Then is my love the greater, John, for now, rather than let you humble
yourself to beg forgiveness for your evil thought of me, I will stoop
to explain away your base suspicions. To-night you went to the stile
before the time appointed and saw that hateful Dalroyd eloping with my
brother Charles in my clothes as you saw him once before--upon the
wall."

"Your brother!" cried the Major. "Dear God in heaven!"

"Is it so wonder