"Well," she said, with a smile at once bewitching and tender, "you're a dear patient boy, and now I'll be good and tell you all about it. Once upon a time----" They turned, and walked towards the entrance of Bushey Park. So interested were they in Lizzie's fairy story, that they did not notice Felix, who brushed quite close by them. He saw them, however, and saw at the same moment what was a greater astonishment to him--Martha Day, with a face like death, watching the lovers with misery in her eyes. "Martha!" he cried, "how strange to meet you here, and at such a time!" She made no reply to his expression of surprise, and did not seem to think it strange that he should make his appearance at that moment. Taking, almost mechanically, the hand he held out to her, she clasped it firmly, and made a movement in the direction of the park gates. But Felix, not knowing what was her intention, held back. He had no desire to play the part of spy upon Lily's brother. "Why do you restrain me?" asked Martha, in a low voice. "I don't wish to restrain you, Martha," replied Felix; "but I cannot go in that direction for a minute or two. You appear to me not to quite know what you are about. What is it you want, and what is the matter with you?" "You passed close by them?" pointing after Lizzie and Alfred. "Yes." "And saw them?" "Yes." "What do they look like?" "Like sweethearts, I should say, Martha." An expression of pain escaped from Martha's lips. "Do _you_ know them, Martha?" "I know one." "Which one?" "The girl. I must not lose sight of her." Again she made a movement in the direction of the retreating forms of the lovers, and again Felix held her back. She had clasped his hand so firmly during the time that he could not release it without being rough. "If you follow them," he said, "you must go alone. What is this girl to you?" "She is my life--my soul!" cried Martha passionately, wringing her hands.