'Oh, thrice I endeavoured to leave the arbour and keep my appointment with you, and then--then----' She paused, and her voice died away upon her quivering lip. 'What? Speak, dearest Ida.' 'That strange magnetic influence, which I told you impels my actions and controls my movements, came over me like a species of drowsy sleep, and I remained till the time to meet you was long since past.' 'And _he_ who had this influence over you--he who detained you,' said Vane, bitterly and incredulously. 'Jerry! this to _me_!' she exclaimed, her eyes expressive now of sad reproach. 'Think of me as you will, I can explain no more.' Her eyes closed, her little white hands were clenched and pressed upon her bosom, and again, as yesterday in the oriel, she seemed on the point of sinking. She had suddenly become bewildered and confused, and this bewilderment and confusion were but too painfully apparent to the sorrowing and exasperated Vane. Was she thinking it possible that _that_ of which she had spoken in a moment of confidence to Trevor Chute--the thing or being unseen, but which she felt conscious of being near her--could have been by her side in that dark arbour then, or what caused her emotion? Did a memory of the icy and irrepressible shudder she felt at times, when that dread pang occurred to her, come over her then? Perhaps so, for the nameless dread that paralysed her tongue made her more tolerant to Jerry. Anon she recovered herself, and pride of heart, dignity of position, and a sense of insult came to her rescue and restored her strength, and she looked Vane steadily, even haughtily, in the face. 'You put my faith to a hard test, Ida,' said he; 'God alone knows how hard.' 'If I could spare you a pang, Mr. Vane, He knows I would,' she replied; 'but when last you spoke to me about a strange gentleman being with me in the arbour, I thought your manner odd and unwarrantable, and now I think it more so. I trust this is the last time the subject will be referred to--and, and--now I wish you good-morning.' And bowing with gravity and grace, not unmingled with hauteur, she swept away towards the house and left him. Great was the shock this event, and this most unanticipated interview or explanation, gave the heart of Vane, who made not the slightest attempt to detain her, or soothe the indignation he had apparently kindled; but he stood rooted to the spot, motionless as the marble Psyche on its pedestal close by.