And the overgrown girl, who was snubbed at home, had tears in her eyes at the remembrance of the kind touch which she had felt on the day of her accident. Mrs. Dale was too much moved to say much more, but it was agreed between the ladies that the suggestion should be formally made by the tenant of “The Towers” to the heads of the household at “Stone House” without delay, that Mabin should stay with her new friend during the absence abroad of the rest of the Rose family.
Mabin did notice, while they talked, that Rudolph remained not only silent but somewhat constrained; but it was not until she took her leave of Mrs. Dale, and he followed her out, that the young girl attached any importance to his reserve.
Once out of hearing of Mrs. Dale, who stood on the stone steps to bid them good-by, Rudolph asked her abruptly:
“Do you think they’ll let you come?”
“Oh, yes, they’ll only be too glad to get rid of me. Why do you ask in that tone?”
“Well, there is something I think I ought to tell you, if you are thinking of staying with Mrs. Dale.”
“Well, what is it?”
“It is that she is being watched.”
“Watched!”
“Yes, by a stranger, a man whom I have never seen in the place before. He hovers about this place, keeping out of range of possible eyes in the house, at all hours of the day and even of the night.”