ack
of money when he and Miss Falconer are married, for her father is
immensely rich, I believe. It would be very nice for all of us if Lord
Highcliffe settled at the Villa; and I have an idea that Mr. Falconer
has bought it for them."

Ida's heart sank, and she seized the first opportunity of getting to
her own room. What hope of forgetfulness could there be for her, what
chance of happiness if Stafford came back to the Villa to live, if she
should be in hourly dread of meeting him? The thought haunted her
though all the quiet Christmas festivities at the Grange; and she was
glad to get back to the Hall, and away from the eyes which watched her,
though they watched her with a friendly and affectionate regard.

In her daily rides she avoided the opening on the lake side from which
the Villa was visible; and she would sometimes make a long _detour_
rather than go near the spot. On one occasion, when returning from
Bryndermere, instead of crossing by the ferry she rode round by the
other side of the lake, keeping well away from the Villa, lest she
should meet anyone belonging to it. She had reached the top of the hill
below which wound the road leading to the Hall, and after pausing to
look at the magnificent view, was riding across a field, one of the
outlying fields of her estate, when she saw a lady riding through a
gate at the lower end. The blood rushed to her face and her heart
seemed to stand still for a moment, for she saw that it was Maude
Falconer; then her face grew pale and a wave of bitterness, grew over
her, for she recognised the horse on which Maude was riding: it was
Stafford's Adonis. Her first impulse was to turn aside and leave the
field; but her pride revolted, and she kept her course, looking
straight before her and trying not to see the graceful figure below
her.

At sight of her, the blood had flown to Maude's face also, and she
tried to check her horse; but Adonis, at any time rather more than she
could well manage, was fresh and too eager to join the other horse, and
he carried her up the field against her will. The two met almost face
to face, the horses exchanging friendly neighs. For a moment, while one
could count twenty, the two rivals sat and looked at each other. Half
unconsciously, Ida noticed the pallor and the worn look of the
beautiful face, the wistful peevishness of the delicately cut lip; then
suddenly Maude's face flushed, her eyes grew hard and scornful, and
with something lik