The Solitary Farm

uting her purpose. In two or three minutes she hastily reassumed her hat, cloak, and gloves, which she had removed while conversing with Mrs. Coppersley. Then taking her sunshade, she left th

seemed to be singularly ill-timed-Bella closed the door softly, and walked down the corn-path. Glancing right and left, and straight ahead, she could see no

would endeavour to get him to dispense with the services of the man. But what struck her most, were the questions of Durgo. He evidently expected Cyril to meet Huxham and to have a quarrel. Also the stated time-of two weeks and some days-corresponded with the midnight visit of Cyril to the Manor-

r between them, made her turn cold, and she resolutely put it from her. Cyril was the man she loved; the man in whom she had every reason to believe. He had solemnly sworn that he was innocent of her father's blood, and if she entertained a grain of affection for him she was bound to believe his word, ev

view, the girl walked towards the hut of the witch-wife, resolute to learn how much Mrs. Tunks knew concerning Cyril's past life. Something she must know, else she could not have hinted at the appearance of the negro. Bella herself was ignorant that her lover had so sinister a servant, but

ut to turn along the pathway leading to the hut, when she heard her name called an

tress volubly. "I really didn't want to go to the Manor and meet that

nded Bella, greatly su

is any he but the one he in the world," sa

to say that

cruel-hearted girl: d

said Bella hur

that nasty-minded Mrs. Block might say things. She is such a gossip you know. In despair

obey the summons of her lover. Womanlike, she wished him to say that he was

" asked Do

ng to confess that she was dealing with un

her friend. "You shall do nothing of the sort, you cold thing," she declared. "P

e stiffer than ev

h a man to say anything. But I saw

Bella was seized w

res and looks became eloq

skirts and fairly ran across the plank

w," laughed Dora, crossing in her turn; "ye

he been all

ternoon, and asked me to help him. Oh, my dear, he is handsome, and I felt that I could do anything for him. I wish he had made love to me," sighed the romantic

ir, and clear blue eyes. Dressed as she was, in pale blue, with many ribbons and ornaments, she looked like a well-arrayed doll, just out of a satin-lined box. But for all her innocent looks, Miss Ankers was a stern school-mistress, and during business hours behaved with great severity. Out of them, however, she presented herself to the village world in her

, kissing her friend, as they drew near

china-blue eyes to their widest. "What will Mr.

t Cyril, in spite of her misgivings, had returned to her. Seeing how she had doubted and accused him, he might have departed for ever, and with every reason for such a course. But apparently he loved her so devotedly that he was will

er, pushing her companion into the cottage. "You'll find him t

r the meeting by presenting herself as an inconvenient third. Therefore she turned away laughing, and Bella, anxious to lose no

ppear to be aware of her presence; then he rose gravely and bowed. Even in the midst of her dismay at this reception, Bella was woman enough to note how spruce, and trim, and singularly handsome he looked. Certai

sed to see me, Cy

d gravely, and pushed forward a

way," she declared indignantly. "You send for me,

view explains m

then, and asked your pardon. You left me without a kiss, and-and--" She stopped with a

edly. "I love you very d

ll that you l

ng, as I did, your cruel suspicions. You have no right to be displeased, as you said a moment s

ot; I d

you

u had quarrelled with my father, so what could I think but that you had killed him? I don't pretend to be an angel." She broke off and sat down, pressing her hands

n from your own lips that you

in her excitement. "And I ask you

ught her hands within his own. "T

e breathed faintly in his

ords. On the face of it, I don't see what you could do but suspect me. It was unreasonable for me to ask you to do otherwise. That you believe my mere word

To the death we t

r, and drew Bella on to his knees. "Unity is s

been afraid?" s

am satisfied on that point, there is

t is

rder. Other people may have

as you?" s

myself. If necessary, I

s the m

" Cyril pushed her away

ella stood back fr

ancy-Bella, don't ask me anything just

u will

id that I might be able to explain

l, seating herself again. "Cyril, has

er of the

ilty, as I know you are not. But are yo

the fact. All the same--" He paused, looking paler than ever, and his

d Bella quietly, "but, as you remarked

ted her. "O

lse did see you

yril. "I was in London, as I told you,

as P

e hates me because you are to be

lowly. "He threatened to go, but

n he hate

, "that Mr. Pence knows more about t

exclamation. "Do

me. But I know that he was poor; now he is unexpectedly rich, and we are aware," she added with

nnect a harmless man, lik

il. But if Mr. Pence is entirely innocent,

rounds to go

aw when he met your double at the boundary channel. Since he would like to see you in troubl

ter. "However, if he does acc

about yo

tly to the window. "I can say n

ll you e

g. This behaviour puzzled Bella, as she felt sure that Cyril could tell her much if inclined to do so. But it was odd that he should

vant, negro or otherwise," he said in

He made no comment until she had finished. "You say that this man recognised my portrai