Volume Two—Chapter Two.
Attraction.
A few moments later there was a faint rustling noise as of some one hurrying over the fir needles, and a lightly-cloaked figure came for an instant into the moonlight, but shrank back in among the tree-trunks.
“Rob!” was whispered—“Rob, are you there?” Alleyne started up on one elbow, and listened as the voice continued,—
“Don’t play with me, dear. I couldn’t help being late. Father seemed as if he would never go out.”
There was a faint murmur among the heads of the pines, and the voice resumed.
“Rob, dear, don’t—pray don’t. I’m so nervous and frightened. Father might be watching me. I know you’re there, for I heard you whistle.”
Alleyne remained motionless. He wanted to speak but no words came; and he waited as the new-comer seemed to be listening till a faintly-heard whistling of an air came on the still night air from somewhere below in the sandy lane.
“Ah!” came from out of the darkness, sounding like an eager cry of joy; and she who uttered the cry darted off with all the quickness of one accustomed to the woods, taking almost instinctively the road pursued by Rolph, and overtaking him at the end of a few minutes.