"Ah, Mr. Winfield, I am glad to see you," he said, as the train drew up
at the platform, and Winfield got out. "I am rejoiced that you have come
to participate in the beauties of this place. I owe you much for
advising me to come here."

"It is good of you to ask me to come," said Winfield, "I find I can just
squeeze out three days."

"Ah, longer, longer, my friend. By the way, are you tired? There is a
man waiting here with a trap, if you would like to ride back."

"No, I would rather walk, if you don't mind," said Winfield. "The air is
so delicious, and I have been in the railway carriage so long, that the
thought of a country walk is enchanting."

"That is well. I will send back your luggage by the trap, and we will
walk. A roundabout way, if you don't mind, over the moors."

"Just what I should like," said Winfield, and the two started.

While they were climbing a steep footpath which led to the moors, little
was said, but presently, when they had reached an eminence from which
they could see a vast expanse of country, both drew breath.

"This is glorious," said Winfield; "it makes me feel ten years younger."

"I want to take you the loneliest walk in the district, and the most
striking, Mr. Winfield," said Ricordo. "It will mean eight miles to my
farmhouse that way; do you mind?"

"The longer the better," said Winfield. "What a glorious sight! Look at
the roll of hill and dale, think of the glory of furze and heather! And
the air is like some fabled elixir of life. You must be very happy here,
signore."

"As happy as Lucifer when he was cast out of Paradise," said the other
calmly.

Winfield looked at him curiously.

"You will have your joke," he laughed.

"I never joke," said the other.

"By the way," went on Winfield, "have you met the guardian angel of this
place? You stayed at her home of rest for some time. I am told that she
often visits it. Surely you must have seen her?"

"Yes, I have seen her."

"Well, and what is your impression? I knew her slightly, years ago."

"And what do you think of her?"

A shadow passed Winfield's face.

"I saw her under unpleasant circumstances," he said. "I am afraid I am
not able to judge fairly."

"I have heard," said Ricordo slowly, "that she is a woman with a
history. Gossips have it that she had an unhappy love affair years ago.
Is it true? Not that I pay much attention to gossip; but I thought you
might know."

"Yes, I am afraid there is some tr