As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to
pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the
house for the money.
She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the
grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.
Ida, terrified, stood for a moment rooted to the spot. She tried to
fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred
hand or foot.
She distinctly heard the sound of voices. Still, all power to fly
seemed to have left her.
What could it be? Had some of the servants discovered Royal Ainsley's
presence?
She tried to think, but she was powerless. Every sound seemed confusing.
Guided by the light, Nora had dashed quickly down toward the brook.
But ere she could reach the figure pacing up and down so impatiently,
she was seized from behind by a pair of strong arms, a white angry
face bent over her, and a voice, which she instantly recognized as her
master's, cried harshly:
"Let me understand what this means!"
The girl was too frightened to speak.
"This is why you would not come to the ball, is it?" he cried,
excitedly, dragging her toward the spot where her lover stood. "Come,
you and I will confront the lover whom you stayed away from the ball to
meet here!"
Royal Ainsley took in the situation at once. He recognized Eugene's
voice.
"He has discovered Ida Mallard's appointment with me in some way," he
thought. And the knowledge terrified him, coward as he was.
He turned and beat a hasty retreat, dodging directly into the arms of
old Joe.
"Ha! I've caught you _this_ time!" cried the old servitor.
With an oath, Royal Ainsley flung Joe from him.
"Out of my way!" he cried, fiercely, "or I'll kill you!"
The voice, as well as the words, startled old Joe, and threw him
entirely off his guard for an instant. In that instant a heavy blow was
dealt him which caused him to loosen his hold on the intruder.
Then Royal Ainsley sped like a deer through the grounds, every foot of
which he knew well, and was quickly lost to sight in the darkness.
After that first sharp cry, Nora regained something of her natural
bravado.
In less time than it takes to tell it, her master had dragged her
toward the house and under the full light of the swinging lamp.
"Oh, master!" she cried, gaining her breath at last "It's I, Nora, the
maid!"
Eugene Mallard's tightly clinched hands fell from her; he stared aghast
at the girl.
"You, Nora!" he cried, in the greatest amazement, with a world of
relief and thankfulness blended in his voice.
"Pray for--forgive me, Mr. Mallard," sobbed the girl. "I--I did not do
any intentional wrong. I was only going down to the old south gate to
meet my lover, sir. I--I did not think for a moment that any one would
mind. My lady did not need me for an hour or more. Oh, please forgive
me if my action has displeased you!"
"It was your lover that you were going to meet?" repeated Eugene
Mallard, as if to satisfy himself that he had heard aright.
He drew back and looked at Nora with fixed intentness, the color that
had left his face surging back to it again.
Eugene Mallard now walked to his library, and flung himself down to
think over the situation.
He felt grateful beyond words that matters were no worse. He was
ashamed of the thought that for a moment had found lodgment in his
brain against the wife whom he had wedded.
Then it came to him--his love for Ida, whom he knew now that he
worshipped with all the passionate love of his heart. How different it
was from the love he had borne Hildegarde Cramer!
He wondered that he had been so blind as not to have noticed his love
for her sooner. He could scarcely wait until the day dawned, that
he might go to her and tell her of the great love for her that was
consuming his soul.
He said to himself that it was only her innate modesty that caused her
to hold aloof from him of late, and to make her hesitate about giving
him her answer.
He looked shudderingly backward over the past for the last time. Yes,
he would urge her to give him his answer on the morrow. It never once
occurred to him but that her answer would be "Yes."