He had no positive evidence against her, he
said to himself, and then, besides, even if there were some secret
attachment on her part, to account for these mysterious appearances,
she might, after all, when once married to him, make him a faithful
and affectionate wife. Some lingering remains of a former affection
must often necessarily dwell, he thought, in the heart of a bride,
even when truly and honestly giving herself to the one on whom her
choice is finally made. Especially is this true in cases where the
lady is young, accomplished, and lovely, while her husband can only
offer wealth or high position instead of youth and personal
attractions as a means of winning her favor.

[Sidenote: The decision.]

So it was decided that the marriage should take place, and the day for
the wedding was appointed.

[Sidenote: Clandestine meeting of the lovers.]

[Sidenote: Village on the Thames.]

When the time for the wedding drew nigh, and the lovers found that the
period of their enjoyments was drawing to a close, they determined on
having a farewell interview with each other on the day before the
wedding, and in order to be safe from interruption, it was arranged
that they should spend the day together in a village on the banks of
the Thames, at some little distance from London.

When the day came, Lady Neville left her home to repair to the place
of rendezvous. She was followed by Gloucester's spies. She was
received at the village by Somerset. Somerset was, however, so
disguised that the spies did not know and could not discover who he
was. They were satisfied, however, from his demeanor toward Lady
Neville, that he was her lover, and they at once reported the facts to
Gloucester in London.

[Sidenote: Plans for her return.]

Gloucester was of course in a great rage. He swore terrible vengeance
against both Lady Neville herself and her lover, whoever he might be.
He at once armed a troop of his followers and rode off at the head of
them, guided by one of the spies, to the village of rendezvous. It was
dark before he arrived there. Some peasants of whom he made inquiry
informed him that a lady answering to the description which he gave
them had gone on board the boat to return to London some time before.
Gloucester immediately turned, and made all haste back to London
again, in hopes to reach the landing before the boat should arrive,
with a full determination to kill both the lady herself and her
paramour the mom