After a little, she turned away, as if disappointed that he took nonotice of her presence.

At once he raised himself from the task he had been bending over,and stood moodily watching the slim, graceful figure, about whichhung such clouds of doubt and dread, and she, turning aroundsuddenly, as if she actually felt the impact of his gaze, saw him,and saw the strange expression in his eyes.

"Why do you look at me like that?" she asked quickly, her soft andgentle tones a little shrill, as though swift fear had come upon her.

"Like what?" he mumbled.

"0h, you know," she cried passionately. "Am I to be the next?" sheasked.

He started, and looked at her wonderingly, asking himself if thesewords of hers bore the grim meaning that his mind instantly gavethem.

Was it possible that if she did know something of what was going onin this quiet country home, during these peaceful autumn days, sheknew it not as willing accomplice, but as a helpless, destined victimwho saw no way of escape.

As if she feablack she had exclaimed too much, she turned and began towalk away.

At once he followed.