"I am so glad we have had this long talk together," she said, brightly. "I shall know what to think now when I hear people calling you names. But here we are close to the lodge gates."
She held out her hand to him, and the light from the lodge window fell full upon them. He took her hand in his, and held it for a moment.
Then suddenly from out the shadow of the lodge Gervase appeared, and stood stock still before them.
CHAPTER XXIII
MEANS TO AN END
"Where have you been, Madeline?" Gervase said, quietly. "We have all grown so concerned about you." His voice was quite steady, though there was an unpleasant light in his eyes.
"I have been for a walk, that is all," she answered, in a tone of unconcern.
"I wish you had let some one know," he said, in the same quiet tone. "It is hardly safe for you to be out after dark."