Aveline now entered the room, whereupon her lover rose and embraced her.
“It is all settled, dearest,” he exclaimed, in a tone of delight. “You will learn the full particulars from Mrs. Maitland.”
“So you have been having a tete-à-tete, it seems.”
“Yes, we have, my child,” said Mrs. Maitland, “and a very satisfactory one it has proved to be.”
“I’m glad of that,” murmured Aveline. “You both seem well pleased.”
Young Gatliffe thought it was time to take his departure. He was elated with the successful nature of his interview with the widow, and thought it best to leave her alone with Aveline.
CHAPTER XII.
THE BURGLARY AT WOOD-HILL—AN UNEXPECTED MEETING.
It would not be edifying to the reader to chronicle all the marauding expeditions in which our hero was engaged at this period.
The money obtained by the exercise of his musical ability did not content him for long. He visited several houses after nightfall, and if the booty obtained was not large he escaped without detection.