hope, now freezing with fear, that she would decline a meeting on these
terms.

At last the postman came, and then he saw he was too soon; but now in
a few minutes Rosa would have his letter, and then he should soon know
whether she would come or not. He looked up at the drawing-room windows.
They were full of light. She was there in all probability. Yet she did
not come to them. But why should she, if she was coming out?

He walked up and down the road. She did not come. His heart began to
sicken with doubt. His head drooped; and perhaps it was owing to this
that he almost ran against a gentleman who was coming the other way. The
moon shone bright on both faces.

"Dr. Staines!" said Mr. Lusignan surprised. Christopher uttered an
ejaculation more eloquent than words.

They stared at each other.

"You were coming to call on us?"

"N--no," stammered Christopher.

Lusignan thought that odd; however, he said politely, "No matter, it is
fortunate. Would you mind coming in?"

"No," faltered Christopher, and stared at him ruefully, puzzled more and
more, but beginning to think, after all, it might be a casual meeting.

They entered the gate, and in one moment he saw Rosa at the window, and