With some difficulty--for my companion was holding my arm, and seemed to be disposed to stop altogether--I quickened my pace so as to get by him rapidly; showing him, I dare say, that I thought the change in his face when I looked at him, an impertinence on his part.

However that may be, after a momentary interval, I heard his step behind.

The man had turned, and had followed us.
He came close to me, on the opposite side to Lucilla, and took off his hat.
"I beg your pardon, ma'am," he said.

"You looked at me just now." At the first sound of his voice, I felt Lucilla start.

Her hand began to tremble on my arm with some sudden agitation, inconceivable to me.