for life.

Tormented thus, he turned restlessly on his pillow with many a groan and
sigh, nor closed an eye in sleep till long past midnight.

He was sleeping very soundly when, about sunrise, Zoe opened her eyes.

She lay still for a moment listening to his breathing, while memory
recalled what had passed between them previous to her retiring.

"And there he lies and sleeps just as soundly as if he hadn't been playing
the tyrant to the woman he promised to love and cherish to life's end,"
she said to herself, with a flash of anger and scorn in her eyes. "Well, I
don't mean to be here when he wakes; I'll keep out of his way till he's
had his breakfast; for they say men are always savage on an empty
stomach."

She slipped cautiously out of the bed, stole quietly into the next room,
made her toilet, arraying herself in riding habit and hat, went
down-stairs, ordered her pony saddled and brought to the door, and was
presently galloping away down the avenue.

Edward had requested her never to go alone, always to take a servant as an
attendant, even if she had one of the children with her, and especially if
she had not; but she disregarded his wishes in this instance, partly from
a spirit of defiance, partly because she much preferred a solitary ride,
and could not see that there was any danger in it.

It was a bright spring morning, the air just cold enough to be
delightfully bracing; men were at work in the fields, orchards were full
of bloom and fragrance, forest trees leafing out, and springing grass and
flowers making the roadsides lovely.

Zoe's spirits rose with every mile she travelled, the perfume of flowers,
the songs of birds, and all the sweet sights and sounds of nature that
greeted eye, and ear, and every sense, filled her with joy. How could she,
so young and full of life and health, be unhappy in so beautiful a world?

So keen was her enjoyment that she rode farther than she had intended.
Time passed so quickly that, on looking at her watch, she was surprised to
find that she would hardly be able, even at a gallop, to reach Ion by the
breakfast hour.

She was a little disturbed at that, for everybody was expected to be
punctual at meals. Grandpa Dinsmore was particular about it, and she did
not wish to give Edward fresh cause for displeasure.

As she galloped swiftly up the avenue, she was surprised to see him pacing
the veranda to and fro, watch in hand, while his horse stood near ready
saddled