that she
looked repeatedly back. What thought was prompting her to this? Women
have keen perceptions--in intuition almost equalling instinct in its
perceptive power. Could she have a suspicion? No, no: the thing was
improbable--impossible!

The path she was following would conduct her to the bank of the river--
about a hundred yards above where our tents had been pitched, and a like
distance from the nearest of the waggons. Her object in going thither
was evident. A tin water-can, hanging by its iron handle over her
wrist, proclaimed her errand. On reaching the river, she did not
proceed to fill the vessel; but, placing it near the water's edge, sat
down beside it. The bank, slightly elevated above the stream, offered a
sort of projecting bench. Upon this she had seated herself--in such an
attitude that her limbs hung over, until one foot was immersed in the
water. Her long hair lay spread upon the grass behind her; and with her
head drooping forward, she appeared to gaze into the crystal depths of
the stream--as intently, as if mirrored there she saw the form upon
which the thoughts most delighted to dwell. Up to this point, I had
watched her every movement. But only by stealth and in silence: since I
knew that eyes were upon me. Just then, however, most of the gazers
retired from our tents--a call to supper within the corral having
summoned them away. For all that, I dared not approach the girl. The
act would have appeared strange; and even she might desire to shun the
too _free_ intrusion of my savage presence--perhaps flee from it
altogether? The opportunity of speaking with her was sufficiently
tempting. Such another might not soon recur? I trembled at the thought
of losing it. What was to be done? I might have sent Marian. She was
still inside her tent, where she had taken shelter from the bold glances
of her vulgar admirers. She did not yet know that Lilian was outside.
I might have given her notice of the circumstance, and deputed her to
speak with her sister; but I had certain reasons for not following this
course.

At this crisis an idea occurred to me, that promised to aid me in
obtaining the interview I longed for. My Arab had not yet been given to
the grass! Near where Lilian was seated, the herbage was luxuriant--
more so than anywhere around. Upon it I could picket my steed, or hold
him in hand, while he should browse? I lost not a minute in removing
the saddle, and adjusting