The last hope seemed withering in her proud, passionate heart. She rose haughtily, and walked with the dignity of a queen through the long drawing-room toward the terrace. Her heart almost stopped beating as she caught sight of Rex leaning so gracefully against the trunk of an old gnarled oak tree, smoking a cigar. That certainly did not look as if he meant to greet her with a kiss. She went forward hesitatingly--a world of anxiety and suspense on her face--to know her fate. The color surged over her face, then receded from it again, as she looked at him with a smile--a smile that was more pitiful than a sigh. "Rex," she cried, holding out her hands to him with a fluttering, uncertain movement that stirred the perfumed laces of the exquisite robe she wore, and the jewels on her white, nervous hands--"Rex, I am here!" CHAPTER XXXIII. We must now return to Daisy, whom we left standing in the heart of the forest, the moonlight streaming on her upturned face, upon which the startled horseman gazed. He had not waited for her to reply, but, touching his horse hastily with his riding-whip, he sped onward with the speed of the wind. In that one instant Daisy had recognized the dark, sinister, handsome face of Lester Stanwick. "They have searched the pit and found I was not there. He is searching for me; he has tracked me down!" she cried, vehemently, pressing her little white hands to her burning head. Faster, faster flew the little feet through the long dew-damp grasses. "My troubles seem closing more darkly around me," she sobbed. "I wish I had never been born, then I could never have spoiled Rex's life. But I am leaving you, my love, my darling, so you can marry Pluma, the heiress. You will forget me and be happy." Poor little, neglected, unloved bride, so fair, so young, so fragile, out alone facing the dark terrors of the night, fleeing from the young husband who was wearing his life out in grief for her. Ah, if the gentle winds sighing above her, or the solemn, nodding trees had only told her, how different her life might have been!