"A WOMAN SUDDENLY APPEARED FROM AMONG THE TREES."
As I neared the Dell I saw Allan Fortescue tramping along the road in front of me, but before I could overtake him he turned aside into the bridle-path. There I presently followed, and had him once more in view, when a woman suddenly appeared from among the trees and accosted him. Allan raised his hat, and the two walked on together; the meeting had the air of an appointment.
Having no wish to play the spy I turned my pony's head, but I was ill at ease. The tall, graceful figure of the woman, enveloped though it was in a long rain-coat, had been ominously familiar, and as I jogged slowly homewards I resolved that I would call that evening on Allan and have the matter out with him.
I found him in better spirits than usual, but when I explained my errand he seemed somewhat disconcerted.
"Ah! you saw us," he said, and bent to knock the ashes from his pipe; then added, "You are sure, I suppose, of the identity of the lady? "
"As sure as it is possible to be without having seen her face to face."
"Still, you might be utterly mistaken. Would it not be better, for the sake of—the lady chiefly concerned in your mind—to give her the benefit of the doubt?"
His eyes met mine fully, I answered question with question.
"Do you think you are dealing fairly with me? Strictly speaking, perhaps this is no affair of mine, and yet——"