The dinner-bell sounded and the light went out.
As yet it was scarcely dark out of doors, and in a few minutes Dare had the satisfaction of seeing the same woman cross the ward and emerge upon the slope without.

This time she was bonneted, and carried a little basket in her hand.

A nearer view showed her to be, as he had expected, Milly Birch, Paula's maid, who had friends living in Markton, whom she was in the habit of visiting almost every evening during the three hours of leisure which intervened between Paula's retirement from the dressing-room and return thither at ten o'clock.

When the young woman had descended the road and passed into the large drive, Dare rose and followed her.
'O, it is you, Miss Birch,' said Dare, on overtaking her.

'I am glad to have the pleasure of walking by your side.' 'Yes, sir.