“I was struck dumb with astonishment at the sight of her; but my emotions were nothing to those which showed themselves upon her face when our eyes met. She seemed for an instant to wish to shrink back inside the house again; and then, seeing how useless all concealment must be, she came forward, with a very white face and frightened eyes which belied the smile upon her lips.

“ ‘Ah, Jack,’ she said, ‘I have just been in to see if I can be of any assistance to our new neighbors. Why do you look at me like that, Jack? You are not angry with me?’

“ ‘So,’ said I, ‘this is where you went during the night.’

“ ‘What do you mean?’ she cried.

“ ‘You came here. I am sure of it. Who are these people, that you should visit them at such an hour?’

“ ‘I have not been here before.’