She drew back into the shadow and set her teeth; then, as he went in again, evidently to look for her in the house, she glided rapidly into the avenue, and went toward the lodge. She had almost reached it, was within touch of the big gates, when the figure of a woman passed through the open one and stood before her. Olivia’s nerves were strained to their utmost tension, and she shrank back with a low cry of alarm. The woman stretched out her hand pleadingly. “Don’t, don’t, miss!” she said, in a suppressed whisper, “I’ve not come to hurt you!” “Who are you? What do you want?” asked Olivia, trembling a little, but recovering her presence of mind, for it seemed to her that she had heard the voice before. The woman came nearer, and the light of the lodge window falling on her face, Olivia saw that it was the gipsy who had told their fortunes at the picnic. “You know me, you remember me, miss,” she said, still in a whisper, and with a kind of hurried earnestness. “Yes,” said Olivia, breathing more freely, for there was a sad and weary expression in the woman’s face, which called for compassion rather than fear. “Yes, you are the gipsy. What do you want?” “I want to see you, miss, to speak a few words,” replied Liz. “I’ve been watching for you, waiting for a chance to see you alone; but he’s always with you.” “He?” said Olivia. “Yes--Mr. Bradstone,” continued the woman, hurriedly. “To-night I was thinking of sending a message to you by the girl who lives here----” “Bessie?” said Olivia, wonderingly. “Yes, miss, that’s her name. I know she loves you, and that she’d be secret. Miss, I’m doing it at the risk of my life----” Olivia flushed. “What is it you want? What is it you are doing?” she asked, with a little pant. The woman’s terrible earnestness was telling upon her. “I’ve come to warn you, miss,” replied Liz, drawing a little closer. “To warn me!” repeated Olivia, shrinking back, suspiciously. “Yes, miss, a solemn warning! Don’t treat it lightly; give heed to it, for Heaven’s sake. I wouldn’t do it for everybody. I wouldn’t risk what I’m risking to-night for any other’s sake. I’m a fool to do it for yours, but you spoke to me kindly, and--and----What’s that?” She broke off with a glance of terror toward the road. “I hear nothing,” said Olivia, half convinced the woman was mad. “Be quick, please, I--I cannot wait. Of what do you warn me?” “Is it true that you are to marry Mr. Bradstone, miss?” she asked, earnestly. Olivia inclined her head. “Yes.” “Then, for the love of Heaven, and while there’s time, draw back. You don’t know----” “Stop,” said Olivia. “I cannot listen to you. Say what you have to say against him--for you have something to say--before him. I will not listen,” and she moved aside. The woman caught her arm with a gesture of despairing imploration.