"I am Tanl Rodney.” he now volun
teers, —“your husband’s cousin, you
know. 1 suppose,” with a darkening of
his whole face, “now I have told vou
who I am. it will not sweeten your lik
ing for me.”
“I have heard of you,” says Mona,
quietly. Then, pointing to that part of
the wood whither he would go. she says,
coldly, “I regret that I cannot tell you
where this path leads to. Good-morn
iug-”
With this she inclines her head, and
without another word goes back by the
wav she has come.
When she is quite gone, he pulls him
self together with a jerk, draws a heavy
sigh, and, thrusting his hands deep into
his pockets, continues his walk.
At breakfast Mona betrays the fact
that she has met Raul Rodney during
her morning ramble, and tells all that
has passed between him and her, —on
being closely questioned,—which news
has the effect of bringing a cloud to the
brow of Sir Nicholas and a frown to
that of his mother.
“Such presumption, walking in our
wood without permission,” she says,
haughtily.
“My dear mother, you forget the path
leading from lire southern gate to Plum
ston road lias been open to the public
for generations. He was at perfect lib
erty to walk there.”
“'Nevertheless, it is very had taste his
taking advantage of that absurd per
mission, considering how he is circum
stanced with regard to us.” says Lady
Rodney. “You wouldn’t do it yourself,
Nicholas, though you find excuses for
him.”
“Oil. no. I shouldn’t,” he says, gently;
and then the subject drops.
And here perhaps it will he as well to
explain the trouble that at this time
weighs heavily upon the Rodney family.
