i; and he knew their mistress was at hand.

He looked at her intently as she came slowly towards him. She wore a
dark red dress and jacket, that set off her graceful figure, and her
close velvet hat was a darker shade of the same colour.

On any one else the effect might have been too striking, but it exactly
suited her; and as Malcolm noticed the exquisite colour of her face and
the wonderful coils of black hair, he was obliged to acknowledge that
Cedric's temptation had been strong, and that many an older man might
have lost his heart to so beautiful a creature.

Leah's eyes had been fixed on the ground, and she did not see Malcolm
until she was quite close to him; but, though she was evidently
surprised to meet him, she only bowed gravely, and would have passed
on. But Malcolm placed himself at her side.

"You are an early riser, Miss Jacobi," he observed in a friendly tone.
"Are you always so energetic?"

"I like an early morning walk," she replied quietly; but there was an
uneasy flush on her face, as though she found Malcolm's society
embarrassing. "I generally have the Gardens to myself at this hour. My
brother is a late riser, and this is my leisure time. I have never met
you here before, Mr. Herrick;" and here Leah gave him a quick, furtive
glance from under her long lashes.

"I daresay not," he returned coolly, "this is hardly my beat. To tell
you the truth. Miss Jacobi, my errand is to you this morning." A quick,
undefinable expression almost resembling fear came over her face; but
she answered him quietly.

"You have come here to talk to me?" with an air of well-simulated
surprise. "How could you know my habits? I think," a little stiffly,
"we have only met twice."

"You are quite right, Miss Jacobi. I spoke to you first in the porch at
Cookham church, and the second time at the Etheridges--as far as that
goes we are little acquainted with each other; but we have a mutual
friend, you and I." Then he saw her eyes suddenly droop.

"Forgive me if I am abrupt," he went on, "but the matter concerns me
intimately. I am informed that you are engaged to my friend Cedric
Templeton."

It was evident that she was prepared for this--the bolt out of the blue
had not startled her. She stood still and looked at him with an air of
proud displeasure.

"May I ask the name of your informant, Mr. Herrick?" she asked coldly;
but he saw that she knew.

"Why should I not have heard it from Cedric himself--we are clo