He knew at length that she was voluntarily absenting herself, in order to avoid a _tete-a-tete_ with him, to which, if she should come into the sitting room at this time of day, she would be obliged to subject herself, for at this hour all the children were in the schoolroom with their governess, and Odalite with them, helping their German lesson. As soon as Col. Anglesea divined the reason of Mrs. Force's absence he resolved to lay a trap for her and catch her. So he went out into the hall, loudly called on one of the men servants to saddle a horse for him, saying he was going to ride to the post office, made a great fuss putting on his overcoat, cap and gloves, and finally, when the horse was brought around to the door, threw himself into the saddle, and galloped away with so much clatter and bang that the lady, wherever she might be lurking, could not fail to hear and know that he had left the house. And she did not fail to hear and know it; but she was so astonished at the unusual noise and confusion he made that she asked herself a question which she would not have asked another: "Is the man intoxicated at this early hour of the morning, that he behaves in this very disorderly manner? Well, I am glad he is gone. I hope it is for all day." So saying, she went downstairs to the sitting room, feeling secure against his intrusion. She took up her work, a piece of silk embroidery, and began to trace the outline of the pattern, humming a little air to herself. Less than half an hour had the lady sat at her needlework, when the door opened softly. She heard the slight sound through the silence of the house, looked up, and saw Col. Anglesea enter the room and walk toward her. She started as if she had seen an apparition, and impulsively exclaimed: "I thought you were miles away! I thought you had gone out for the day!" "You heard me gallop off? Doubtless. I took a brisk ride along the turnpike as far as Chincapin Creek, turned down its banks to the shore, cantered along until I reached the bridle path leading up to your stables, and then dismounted, leaving my horse with the groom, and walked to the house. It was a brisk run, but it has done me good," Col. Anglesea explained, as, uninvited, he drew a chair toward the fire and seated himself at Mrs. Force's worktable, facing her. The lady gave her attention to the pattern of her embroidery, and made no reply. "If you had foreseen my quick return--certainly, if you had foreseen my errand--I should not have found you here; you would have kept out of my way; and even if I had sent a message requesting to speak with you, you would have made some excuse to decline or to defer the interview." "Perhaps I should. Why do you intrude upon my privacy, Col. Anglesea? What is it that you want now?" she inquired, with that blending of fear and defiance in her tone and manner which fatally betrayed the weakness of her defenses.