ces in the verdure, the grassy path which he was now following wound
onward in shadow. How far he had advanced he had not noticed, when he
heard a momentary rustling of leaves at some little distance in advance
of him. The faint breeze had died away; the movement among the leaves
had been no doubt produced by the creeping or the flying of some
creature of the night. Looking up, at the moment when he was disturbed
by this trifling incident, he noticed a bright patch of moonlight ahead
as he advanced to a new turn in the path.

The instant afterward he was startled by the appearance of a figure,
emerging into the moonlight from the further end of the shrubbery,
and rapidly approaching him. He was near enough to see that it was the
figure of a woman. Was it one of the female servants, hurrying back to
the house after an interview with a sweetheart? In his black evening
dress, he was, in all probability, completely hidden by the deep shadow
in which he stood. Would he be less likely to frighten the woman if
he called to her than if he allowed her to come close up to him in the
dark? He decided on calling to her.

"Who is out so late?" he asked.

A cry of alarm answered him. The figure stood still for a moment, and
then turned back as if to escape him by flight.

"Don't be frightened," he said. "Surely you know my voice?"

The figure stood still again. He showed himself in the moonlight, and
discovered--Sydney Westerfield.

"You!" he exclaimed.

She trembled; the words in which she answered him were words in
fragments.

"The garden was so quiet and pretty--I thought there would be no
harm--please let me go back--I'm afraid I shall be shut out--"

She tried to pass him. "My poor child!" he said, "what is there to be
frightened about? I have been tempted out by the lovely night, like you.
Take my arm. It is so close in here among the trees. If we go back to
the lawn, the air will come to you freely."

She took his arm; he could feel her heart throbbing against it. Kindly
silent, he led her back to the open space. Some garden chairs were
placed here and there; he suggested that she should rest for a while.

"I'm afraid I shall be shut out," she repeated. "Pray let me get back."

He yielded at once to the wish that she expressed. "You must let me take
you back," he explained. "They are all asleep at the house by this time.
No! no! don't be frightened again. I have got the key of the door. The
moment I have opened i