“I hope so and think so. And yet, do you know, I thought myself I saw her walking one night with a stranger. The other person disappeared and she was alone when I met her. But I couldn’t shake off the impression.”
Anna stared at him helplessly.
“There’s still more,” he went on reluctantly. “There is, I fear, no doubt but that there is a strange man hanging about the village—the Farleigh end. More than two or three persons have declared they saw a man peering in their windows. They connect this man with Miss Lorraine. They say it is the same man she walks with, and—dear me, her father being in prison, it is so easy for people to lose their common sense and originate all sorts of rumors.”
“But Mr. Langley, surely you don’t believe that—about a man looking into people’s windows?” Anna demanded.
“I don’t know what to think. The truth is, that before I heard any rumors—it was last Sunday evening—I felt that there was someone looking in at me through yonder window. I have always left the blind up—until this week.”
“I feel stunned, Mr. Langley,” said Anna mournfully.
“Poor child! No wonder! I hated to bother you with this, but dear me—I seem to be following the lead of others and bringing my burdens to lay upon your youthful shoulders. However—we cannot let this go on. I am convinced that there is a mistake and that Miss Lorraine can explain. Shall I speak to her or would you rather, Anna?”
Anna considered. “Perhaps I’d better,” she said. “But—I guess I won’t do anything until after to-morrow. I’d better think it over first.”
Mr. Langley begged to drive her home, but recollecting her promise to Alice she made an excuse. And there was Alice waiting for her at the lane.
To-night Alice was in high spirits. First she asked about the baby in a pathetically perfunctory way, then she put a careless query in regard to Reuben. Anna’s heart grew cold. What did it mean? Why was she asking so many questions of late, particularly about Reuben?