CHAPTER XXI AN UNEXPECTED MEETING The next morning Darrel, who was still at the Rectory, paid a visit to Mildred. Had she been within doors she would have refused to see him, as she was much distressed in her mind. Frank had not returned from the Shanty, nor had Eustace appeared to explain the reason. Mildred was haunted by visions of the young man being captured, and, since she firmly believed in his innocence, felt very anxious. After a sleepless night she came out before breakfast to take the air in the garden, and so found herself face to face with Darrel in the most unexpected way. He entered the grounds with an air of possession which was intensely irritating to Mildred in her then state of mind, and she was not prepared to receive him warmly. "You come at an awkward hour, Mr. Darrel," she said coldly, "and I am not able to see you." "I thought you might refuse," he replied, sulkily; "but I cannot deny myself the pleasure of being the first to bring you the good news. You will be glad to hear that the murderer of your brother Walter has been caught." Mildred nearly fainted, but saved herself by a strong effort. "Are you speaking of Mr. Lancaster?" she asked. "Of who else?" replied Darrel, with a triumphant smile. "He is the guilty person. Last night Berry, of whom you have heard, came down and found him in Jarman's house. I believe there was a fight, but in the end the man was caught. You must be pleased." "I am not pleased. Mr. Lancaster is innocent." "Of course he would tell you that in his character of O'Neil," said the man, scornfully. "But it's a lie. I believe he is guilty." "Perhaps you denounced him to Captain Berry?" "No. I told him that if he left you alone I would hold my tongue." The girl turned on him angrily. "And what right have you to say such a thing about me?" she demanded vehemently. "I am not engaged to you. I never shall be!" "Oh, yes, you will," he replied, coming closer and looking into her white face with angry eyes. "You will be my wife, now that this villain is out of the way." "Never! And Mr. Lancaster is not a villain." "He is. He killed your brother. You cannot love the murderer of your brother." "Who told you that I loved Mr. Lancaster?" "My own heart. Bah! Do you think I can be deceived? Did I not see the looks which passed between you?" Mildred looked on him with ineffable contempt. "You mean, low, pitiful coward!" she said, while he winced at the ringing scorn in her voice. "You come here to insult me, because I will not marry you. Now, hear me. I _do_ love Frank." "Ah!"--a low cry of rage escaped him--"you call him Frank." "I do, for I love him. He has said nothing to me, and I do not even know if he returns my feeling." "Yes, you do," said Darrel, striking his stick passionately on the ground, and glaring on her fiercely. "You two understand one another very well. I believe that you knew where he was concealed after he left Jarman. Ah!"--he read her face--"you _did_ know."