As is the frequent case with intriguing persons, Colonel Norcott’s first idea, when he chanced to find himself accosted by a stranger, was, that he was about to be imposed upon; he therefore--albeit a little taken aback by the sound of a name which he had not heard for many a bygone year--commenced an immediate scrutiny of the woman’s features, in order the better to secure himself against the evil of being “done.” Apparently the investigation was corroborative, for after a moment or two he said in a hurried whisper: “It is a long time since we met, and you have chosen rather a public place in which to make yourself known. If you have anything to say, go in that direction,” and he pointed to a narrow pathway, leading to a dense shrubbery of evergreens. “Go,” he continued authoratively; “and I will join you in a few moments.” The woman who had called herself Bridget Bainbridge seemed about to speak, then stopped, hesitated a little, as if unable to make up her mind as to the best course to be pursued, and finally decided on following the Colonel’s directions. The latter, after waiting--with a strange look of perplexity in his face--for a few brief moments, turned away in an opposite direction, but in one which, for he knew the “lay” of the Danescourt grounds well, would conduct him eventually to the place where Mrs. Bainbridge was waiting for his coming. His step was far slower now, and infinitely less assured, than when he had advanced with that _air conquérant_ of his to damage with a word and look the peace of mind of that bright rustic beauty. There was evidence of thought in his lowered head, and of a nameless anxiety in his knitted brow. _Something_ had tamed his spirits since he had caught sight of that quiet-looking middle-aged female, and as he approached the place where she was waiting for him, the pulsations of his heart grew quicker, and large beads of sweat stood out upon his forehead. END OF VOL. I. LONDON: ROBSON AND SON, GREAT NORTHERN PRINTING WORKS, PANCRAS ROAD, N.W. Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber: spent in the secluson=> spent in the seclusion {pg 18} succesfully combated=> successfully combated {pg 101} gossipped about=> gossiped about {pg 184} change your gownd afore=> change your gown afore {pg 201} She was girl=> She was a girl {pg 284}