CHAPTER XXI.
OVER ten days had elapsed since Mr.Lyon answered the letter of Fanny Markland, and he was still awaiting a reply.
"This is a risky sort of business," so his friend had written him.
"I succeeded in getting your letter into the young lady's hands, but not without danger of discovery.

For whole hours I loitered in the grounds of Mr.Markland, and was going to leave for the city without accomplishing my errand, when I saw Fanny coming in the direction of the summer-house.

After the letter was deposited in the place agreed upon, and I was making my way off, I almost stumbled over her father, who had just returned from the city.

He saw me, though, of course, he did not know me, nor suspect my errand.

But my evident desire to avoid observation must have excited some vague suspicions in his mind; for, on reaching a point from which I could observe without being observed, I saw that he was gazing intently in the direction I had taken.