Marjorie's eyes glittered again as thought after thought came, boding ill to those she hated now with the bitterness of a jealous woman; and all at once, like a flash, a thought flooded her brain which sent the blood thrilling through every artery and vein. "No," she thought, and she crouched there, compressing her nether lip between her white teeth. Then,--"Why not? What is she that she should rob me of my happiness, and of all I hold dear? But if--" She drew in her breath with a faint hiss that was almost inaudible, but it was sufficient to make the poacher pause and look sharply to right and left, as he still crept backwards till he was beneath the shelter of the clump in the hollow which hid Marjorie, and within a few yards of where she was seated. The sounds of passing steps were very near now. Then there was a faint cough, and Marjorie knew that her cousin was so close that, if he looked about him, he must see her in hiding with this vagabond of the village; and again the girl's veins tingled with the nervous sensation of anger and mortification. She would have given ten years of her life to have been back at home; but she had brought all this upon herself, and she could only hope that Rolph would pass them without turning his head. "Yes, go on," said a low, harsh voice, hardly above a whisper, and Marjorie started as she found herself an involuntary listener to the man's outspoken thoughts. "Only wait," he continued, and he, too, drew in his breath with a low, hissing sound. The footsteps died completely away, and Marjorie sat there trembling. The thoughts which had seemed to electrify her, she felt now that she dare not foster; and she was longing for the man to go, when, as if he were influenced by her presence, he turned round suddenly to the right as in search of some one, then to the left, and, not satisfied, faced right about, his countenance full of wonderment and dread, which passed away directly, and he uttered a low, mocking laugh. Marjorie shrank away for the moment, but, feeling that she must show no dread of this man who had surprised her in a situation which it would be vain to explain, she rose to go, but Caleb seized her tightly by the arm. "He did not come to meet you," the man said, with a look of malicious enjoyment, as if it was a pleasure to inflict some of the pain from which he suffered. "What do you mean?" she cried imperiously, as she sought to release her wrist. "Call to him to come back and help you," whispered Caleb.--"Why don't you?" He laughed again as he drew himself up into a kneeling position, still holding her tightly, "How dare you!" cried the girl, indignantly. "Loose my arm, fellow!" "Why? Not I. You will not call out for fear the captain there should think you were watching to see him go to Hayle's cottage and pretty Judith."