She caught the sound of a horse's hoofs behind her, but did not like to look back to see who was approaching, and it was only when the equestrian was close beside her that she glanced up to find the fond, smiling eyes of her lover resting upon her.
The glad look of welcome which leaped into her own eyes and flashed over her face told him how well he was beloved far better than any words could have done.
"Ray!" she exclaimed, in a joyous tone, as he drew rein beside her, and unhesitatingly laid her hand within the strong palm which he extended to her.
"My darling!" he returned, as he leaped to the ground, "this is an unexpected pleasure! I hardly dared to hope that I should see you alone to-day. How does it happen that you are so far from Hazeldean and walking?"
"Mrs. Montague had a few errands which she wished me to do for her in the village," Mona explained.
"Could she not have arranged for you to ride?" Ray asked, with a frown, and flushing to have his dear one's comfort so ignored.
"Oh, I do not mind the walk in the least," she hastened to say. "The morning is very lovely, and I am glad, on the whole, for I should have missed you if I had ridden."
"True, I saw you just as you were leaving Hazeldean, and so came after you," Ray returned, smiling.
They were just entering Rhinebeck now, and Mona looked anxiously up and down the street.
She feared that some of the other guests at Hazeldean might be about and see her with Ray if they should go through the place together.