actually been seen on the way to Lakefield in his car."

"I was in his car. That's quite true."

"Ah? Then there was some foundation for the report. Madame your aunt
will have told you how I hurried here, about eleven o'clock that night.
You had disappeared, leaving nothing behind but an enigmatic note saying
you would explain your absence in the morning. What was I to think,
Mademoiselle? I was afraid to think. I didn't stop to think. I
determined to follow you. It was too late for any train, so I took an
auto. I reached the Bay Tree Inn--and saw what I saw. _Voilà_!"

A smile of amusement flickered over her grave features, but she made no
remark.

"If I was guilty of an indiscretion in following you, Mademoiselle," he
pursued, "it was because of my great love for you. If you had chosen to
marry some one else, I couldn't have kept you from it; but at least I
was determined to try. Though I thought it incredible that you should
take a step like that, in secrecy and flight, yet I find so many strange
ways of marrying in America that I must be pardoned for my fear. As it
is, I cannot regret it, since, by a miracle, it gave me proof of that
which you have found it so difficult to believe. It has grieved me more
than I could ever make you understand to know that during all these
months you have doubted me."

"I'm sure of that," she said, softly, gazing into the fire. "But haven't
you wondered where I was that night when you followed me to Lakefield?"

"If I have, I shouldn't presume to inquire."