The few guests that were stopping at the house were assembled in the drawing-room, and it was not an easy matter to find some convenient excuse to get away from them.
But when the hands of the clock on the mantel pointed to the hour of eight, she felt that she must get away.
Some one suggested playing a piece of music which she had taken to her room the day before to study.
"I will go and search for it," she said; and with that remark she glided from the room.
How dark the night was! She almost shivered as she touched the graveled walk and hurried down to the brook-side.
When this night had passed away, a life-time of happiness would lay before her. The wind moaned fitfully among the trees, and the branches of the tall oaks swayed to and fro. She heard the murmur of the brook before she reached it, and as she drew near and became accustomed to the dim light, she saw a tall man pacing up and down.
He did not hear the light step on the grass. He was muttering imprecations that made the girl's heart turn cold with dread as she listened. Then he saw her.
"Ah! you have come!" he eagerly called out. "It is well for you that you did," he continued, "for I had just made up my mind to go to the house and ask for you."
In the dim light he saw her recoil. Although she made no answer, he fancied he could almost hear the wild throbbing of her heart.
"Did you bring the money?" he asked.