humor changed on the instant. Apparently in a state of unendurable
irritation, she stamped on the ground. "Just what I didn't want to
happen!" she said to herself.

CHAPTER III

HE SHOWS HIMSELF

I too, looked at the cottage, and made a discovery that surprised me at
one of the upper windows.

If I could be sure that the moon had not deceived me, the most beautiful
face that I had ever seen was looking down on us--and it was the face of
a man! By the uncertain light I could discern the perfection of form in
the features, and the expression of power which made it impossible to
mistake the stranger for a woman, although his hair grew long and he was
without either moustache or beard. He was watching us intently; he
neither moved nor spoke when we looked up at him.

"Evidently the lodger," I whispered to Cristel. "What a handsome man!"

She tossed her head contemptuously: my expression of admiration seemed to
have irritated her.

"I didn't want him to see you!" she said. "The lodger persecutes me with
his attentions; he's impudent enough to be jealous of me."

She spoke without even attempting to lower her voice. I endeavored to
warn her. "He's at the window still," I said, in tones discreetly
lowered; "he can hear everything you are saying."