inquiries. The woman followed slowly. After exchanging a few words with
the ticket clerk, Leon found out that no vehicle was to be had in the
neighborhood, and with an exclamation of impatience he told the clerk
that he supposed he would have to walk, and at the same time asked him
some questions about getting his luggage forwarded to the inn at Dalton.
Having received a satisfactory answer, he turned to the door and walked
toward the village.

[Illustration: "AT THAT MOMENT THE WOMAN RAISED HER VEIL."]

The woman who had followed him into the station-house had already left
it, and was walking along the road ahead of him. She was walking at a
slow pace, and before long Leon came up with her. He had not noticed her
particularly, and was now about passing her, when at that very moment
the woman raised her veil, and turned about so as to face him.

At the sight of her face Leon uttered an exclamation of amazement and
started back.

"Lucy!" he exclaimed, in a tone of deep and bitter vexation.

"Aha, Leon!" said the woman, with a smile. "You thought you would give
me the slip. You didn't know what a watch I was keeping over you."

At this Leon regarded her in gloomy silence, while the expression of
deep vexation remained unchanged on his face.

The woman who had thus followed him was certainly not one who ought to
inspire any thing like vexation. Her face was beautiful in outline and
expression. Her eyes were dark and animated, her tone and manner