ckoned to him to speak to her. Looking at her more closely, he
perceived signs of suffering in her face which completely altered her
expression as he remembered it. Her magnificent eyes were dim and red;
she had lost her rich colour; her voice trembled as she spoke to him.

"Have you a few minutes to spare?" she asked.

"The whole day, if you like, Miss," Rufus answered.

She turned to the woman who accompanied her. "Wait here for me,
Elizabeth; I have something to say to this gentleman."

With those words, she got out of the carriage. Rufus offered her his
arm. She put her hand in it as readily as if they had been old friends.
"Let us take one of the side paths," she said; "they are almost deserted
at this time of day. I am afraid I surprise you very much. I can only
trust to your kindness to forgive me for passing you without notice
the last time we met. Perhaps it may be some excuse for me that I am in
great trouble. It is just possible you may be able to relieve my mind. I
believe you know I am engaged to be married?"

Rufus looked at her with a sudden expression of interest. "Is this about
Amelius?" he asked.

She answered him almost inaudibly--"Yes."

Rufus still kept his eyes fixed on her. "I don't wish to say anything,
Miss," he explained; "but, if you have any complaint to make of Amelius,
I should take it as a favour if you would look me straight in the face,
and mention it plainly."

In the embarrassment which troubled Regina at that moment, he had
preferred the two requests of all others with which it was most
impossible for her to comply. She still looked obstinately on the
ground; and, instead of speaking of Amelius, she diverged to the subject
of Mr. Farnaby's illness.

"I am staying in Paris with my uncle," she said. "He has had a long
illness; but he is strong enough now to speak to me of things that have
been on his mind for some time past. He has so surprised me; he has made
me so miserable about Amelius--" She paused, and put her handkerchief
to her eyes. Rufus said nothing to console her--he waited doggedly until
she was ready to go on. "You know Amelius well," she resumed; "you are
fond of him; you believe in him, don't you? Do you think he is capable
of behaving basely to any person who trusts him? Is it likely, is it
possible, he could be false and cruel to Me?"

The mere question roused the indignation of Rufus. "Whoever said that of
him, Miss, told you a lie! I answer for my boy as I