Mrs. Dick was suspiciously near the door; in his own mind he felt sure that she had been spying upon him through the key-hole.
"Your horse is ready, Victor Lamont," she said.
"It took you a long time to go upon your errand," he replied, tauntingly. "No doubt you harnessed the horse yourself, to spare that lazy husband of yours the trouble of doing it," he added.
The woman muttered something between her teeth which he did not quite catch; nor did he take the trouble to listen.
Vaulting quickly into the saddle, his mettlesome horse was off quite as soon as he could grasp the reins, and in an instant he was lost to sight in the dense gloom which precedes the dawn.
It was quite light when Victor Lamont reached the spot by the brook-side—the spot where he had met the lovely young stranger but a short time before.
What a strange fate it was that caused him to discover a flask of brandy in the pocket of the saddle!
That was his failing—drink! He had always guarded against taking even a single draught when he had an important duty to perform; but on this occasion he told himself he must make an exception.
"I will drink to the health of my beautiful bride to be," he muttered, raising the flask to his lips; and he drank long and deep, the brandy leaping like fire through his veins.
He had not long to wait in his place of concealment ere he heard the sound of footsteps.