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As I approached the se

), no

sound of ha into the place, I found it

ee was to drive over to

Tonbridge, with Prudence and the Ancient, to invest in certain

household necessities, for in a month's time they were to be

e's happy future withon

the Ancient's stool in the corner, I covered hts were very black

Now presently, as I sat thus, I became conscious of a very

delicate perfume in the air, and also, that soht into dispel the hope that tingled withintouched old-mounted handle of a whip,

wherefore I raised lanced up

Then I beheld a radiant vision in polished riding-boots and

speckless moleskins, in handso coat, with snowy frills at throat and wrists;

a tall, gallant figure, of a graceful, easy bearing, who stood,

a picture of cool, gentlehtly with his whip But, as his eye uid expression vanished, he

came a quick step nearer and bent his face nearer my own--a

dark face, handsome in its way, pale and aquiline, with a