Did he know what he would do then? Would that the veil might have been lifted and he could have gazed, if but for a moment, on the drama fate was even now preparing for him, to be enacted the next night.
Slowly passing beneath the overhanging boughs, with head erect, he pauses; while the lights from the lanterns, shining forth through the early twilight, fall on him, he dreams alone. Think of him thus, oh, reader! and know that after to-morrow night there will be a shadow cast upon his life.
Some one called him—some one touched his arm, and, turning, he beheld Maury.
“Emory,” said Maury, “I am going to ask a favor of you. Miss Gwinn is willing for me to drive her home, should her mother consent. She knows the horses, and all that. Gray has a vacant seat for you in his drag. You won’t mind accepting it, will you, and let me take Miss Gwinn? I’d do as much for you, any day.”
Neil remembered the eyes that drooped beneath his own, and he didn’t mind in the least. She was quite safe, he thought.
“Mamma,” said Gwendoline, “I am going to drive home with Mr. Maury.”
“Impossible!” replied the lady; “you know I never allow you to drive with young men, especially behind strange horses.”
The girl leaned over and whispered something in her mother’s ear.
“That alters the case, as far as the horses are concerned.”
“Come, come, now, Mrs. Gwinn,” said the young man, approaching, “don’t deny your daughter the pleasure of once more riding behind her own nags; and, you know, I am to be trusted.”