m,
that it was impossible for him to refrain from encouraging his hopes
to the utmost.

Now, as he sat there watching, his fears of danger grew weaker, and
he felt emboldened to venture nearer, so as to fulfill to the utmost
the wishes of Hilda. Her image drove out from his thoughts the
frowning face of Obed Chute, and the white form of that phantom whose
aspect had once crushed him into lifelessness. He thought that it was
but a feeble devotion to wait in ambush at such a distance, when, by
venturing nearer, he might learn much more. Hours passed, and there
was no sign of any one belonging to the villa either going or coming,
and at length the thought that was in his mind grew too strong to be
resisted. He determined to venture nearer--how near he did not know;
at any rate, he could safely venture much nearer than this. Had he
not his disguise, and was he not armed? And when he met Hilda would
it not be shame to him if he could only tell her that he had staid so
far away, and had feared to venture nearer?

He started off. His bowed form, white face, peasant garb, and the
staff which supported his unsteady steps, he thought would be surely
an impenetrable disguise. True, once before the keen glance of Obed
Chute had penetrated his disguise, but then the circumstances under
which they met were suspicious. Now, even if he should chance to meet
him, he could not be suspected. Who would suspect an aged peasant
toiling along the public highway?

He gained fresh courage at every step. As he drew nearer and still
nearer to the villa he began to think of venturing into the grounds
once more. He thought that if he did so he could be more guarded, and
steal along through the trees, beside the paths, and not on them. The
thought became a stronger temptation to him every moment, and at
length, as he advanced nearer, he had almost decided to venture into
that little gate, which was now full in view. He sat down by the
road-side and looked at it. At length he rose and walked on, having
made up his mind to pass through, at any rate, and be guided by
circumstances. It would be something to his credit, he thought, if he
could only tell Hilda that he had been in those grounds again.

But as he advanced he heard the sound of approaching wheels. Some
carriage was coming rapidly down the road toward him, and he paused
for a moment, as the idea struck him that possibly the tremendous
Obed Chute might be in it. He walked on very slowly,