n she would
probably find Mrs. Wade among her books. She felt light of heart.
Within this hour Glazzard would be gone from Polterham. Four days
hence, Denzil would be a Member of Parliament. Had she no claim to
happiness--she whose girlhood had suffered such monstrous wrong?
Another reason there was for the impulse of joy that possessed her--a
hope once already disappointed--a voice of nature bidding her regard
this marriage as true and eternal, let the world say what it would.

She was within sight of the cottage, when Mrs. Wade herself appeared,
coming towards her. Lilian waved her hand, quickened her step. They met.

"I was going for a walk in the fields," said Mrs. Wade. "Shall we"----

Lilian had turned round, and at this moment her eyes fell upon
Northway, who was quite near. A stifled cry escaped her, and she
grasped at her friend's arm.

"What is it, dear?"

Mrs. Wade looked at her with alarm, imagining an attack of illness. But
the next instant she was aware of the stranger, who stood in obvious
embarrassment. She examined him keenly, then again turned her eyes upon
Lilian.

"Is this some one you know?" she asked, in a low voice.

Lilian could not reply, and reply was needless. Northway, who had kept
postponing the moment of address, now lost himself between conflicting
motives. Seeing Lilian's consternation and her friend's surprise, he
nervously raised his hat, drew a step or two nearer, tried to smile.

"Mrs. Wade," Lilian uttered, with desperate effort to seem
self-possessed, "I wish to speak to this gentleman. Will you--do you
mind?"

Her face was bloodless and wrung with anguish. The widow again looked
at her, then said:

"I will go in again. If you wish to see me, I shall be there."

And at once she turned away.

Northway came forward, a strange light in his eyes.

"I'm the last person you thought of seeing, no doubt. But we must have
a talk. I'm sorry that happened before some one else."

"Come with me out of the road. There's a field-path just here."

They crossed the stile, and walked a short distance in the direction of
Bale Water. Then Lilian stopped.

"Who told you where to find me?"

Already Northway had decided upon his course of action. Whilst he
followed Lilian, watching her every movement, the old amorous feeling
had gradually taken strong hold upon him. He no longer thought of
revenge. His one desire was to claim this beautiful girl as his wife.
In doing so, it seemed to