"If any harm comes to the child, you and Edward will have none but yourselves to blame.

Forewarned, forearmed, is a wise saying, by which you seem in no way inclined to profit." Even while this conversation was in progress, the subject of it had taken herself away to the sweet, retired spot where, since her meeting with Mr.Lyon, she had felt herself drawn daily with an almost irresistible influence.

As she passed through the thick, encircling grove that surrounded the open space where the beautiful summer-house stood and the silvery waters sported among the statues, she was startled by a rustling noise, as of some one passing near.
She stopped suddenly, her heart beating with a rapid motion, and listened intently.

Was she deceived, or did her eyes really get uncertain glimpses of a form hurriedly retiring through the trees?
For nearly a minute she stood almost as still as one of the marble figures that surrounded the fountain.

Then, with slow, almost stealthy footsteps, she moved onward, glancing, as she did so, from side to side, and noting every object in the range of vision with a sharp scrutiny.