CHAPTER X.
Miltoun's sudden journey to London had been undertaken in pursuance of a resolve slowly forming from the moment he met Mrs.Noel in the stone flagged passage of Burracombe Farm.

If she would have him and since last evening he believed she would--he intended to marry her.
It has been said that except for one lapse his life had been austere, but this is not to assert that he had no capacity for passion.

The contrary was the case.

That flame which had been so jealously guarded smouldered deep within him--a smothered fire with but little air to feed on.

The moment his spirit was touched by the spirit of this woman, it had flared up.