er must be, if Anneli's sharp
eyes had not deceived her.

"No, Natalie," he said, quickly, "you must not go and speak to her; and
do not look round, either. Perhaps she does not wish to be seen: perhaps
she would go away. Leave it to me, my darling; I will find out all about
her for you."

"But it is very strange," said the girl. "I shall begin to be afraid of
this emissary of Santa Claus if she continues to be so mysterious; and I
do not like mystery: I think, dearest, I must go and speak to her. She
can not mean me any harm. She has brought me flowers again and again on
my birthday, if it is the same. She gave me the little locket I showed
you. Why may not I stop and speak to her?"

"Not now, my darling," he said, putting his hand on her arm. "Let me
find out about her first."

"And how are you going to do that? In a few minutes, perhaps, she goes
away; and when will you see her again? It is many months since Anneli
saw her last; and Anneli sees everything and everybody."

"We will cross the bridge," said he, in a low voice, for he knew not how
near the stranger might be, "and walk on to Park Lane. Anneli must tell
us how far she follows. If she turns aside anywhere I will bid you
good-bye and see where she goes. Do you understand, Natalie?"

She certainly did not understand why he should speak so seriously about
it.

"And I am to be marched like a prisoner? I may not turn my head?"

She began to be amused. He scarcely knew what to say to her. At last he
said, earnestly,

"Natalie, it is of great importance to you that I should see this
lady--that I should try to see her. Do as I bid you, my dearest."

"Then you know who she is?" said Natalie, promptly.

"I have a suspicion, at all events; and--and--something may happen--that
you will be glad of."

"What, more mysterious presents?" the girl said, lightly; "more messages
from Santa Claus?"

He could not answer her. The consciousness that this might be indeed
Natalie's mother who was so near to them; the fear of the possible
consequences of any sudden disclosure; the thought that this opportunity
might escape him, and he leaving in a few days for America: all these
things whirled through his brain in rapid and painful succession. But
there was soon to be an end of them. Natalie, still obediently following
his instructions, and yet inclined to make light of the whole thing, and
himself arrived at the gates of the park; Anneli, as formerly, being
somewhat