She had enshrined an idol in her heart, and that heart adored it, and clung to it, though the superior head saw through it, dreaded it, despised it.
No wonder three years of this had drawn a tell-tale wrinkle across the polished brow.
Phoebe Dale had not received a letter for some days; that roused her suspicion and stung her jealousy; she came up to London by fast train, and down to Gravesend directly.
She had a thick veil that concealed her features; and with a little inquiring and bribing, she soon found out that Mr.Falcon was there with a showy dogcart.

"Ah!" thought Phoebe, "he has won a little money at play or pigeon-shooting; so now he has no need of me." She took the lodgings opposite him, but observed nothing till this very morning, when she saw him throw off his dressing-gown all in a hurry and fling on his coat.

She tied on her bonnet as rapidly, and followed him, until she discovered the object of his pursuit.

It was a surprise to her, and a puzzle, to see another man step in, as if to take her part.

But as Reginald still followed the loitering pair, she followed Reginald, till he turned and found her at his heels, white and lowering.
She confronted him in threatening silence for some time, during which he prepared his defence.
"So it is a LADY this time," said she, in her low, rich voice, sternly.
"Is it ?" "Yes, and I should say she is bespoke--that tall, fine-built gentleman.
But I suppose you care no more for his feelings than you do for mine." "Phoebe," said the egotist, "I will not try to deceive you.