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past behind her. Everything was still, except when once, from a high branch, a jay screamed loudly. Suddenly, at a little distance, she saw the figure of a man approaching her.

She had come to one of the streams to find the plank which lay across it half eaten away by the damp, and she had paused, about to turn back when she recognized Captain Ingpen. She remembered then that the woods belonged to the Old Manor Farm and that he must be in possession. He had seen her, that was evident; and since she wore her grey dress and black hat he probably recognized her, too. It would seem uncivil to turn away, and she did not want to stand and wait for him; so, summoning resolution, she crossed the plank with wary footsteps and went forward, noting, as she approached him, Captain Ingpen’s heavy shoulders and narrow hips; so heavy above and so spare below was he, that, with the something prowling in his gait now perceptible, he made her think of a gaunt strong forest animal.

Curious; lonely creature, wandering as solitary as herself. He went with the damp tawny woods and with the harsh cry of the jay and she was glad to see him, so she told herself. He offered surmise, significance to her cramped and troubled mind.