I had gone but a little way when I caught sight of two distant figures walking slowly across the lawn, and recognised Lisbeth and Mr. Selwyn.
The sight of him here at such a time was decidedly unpleasant, and I hurried on, wondering what could have brought him so early.
Beneath Lisbeth's favourite tree, an ancient apple-tree so gnarled and rugged that it seemed to have spent all its days tying itself into all manner of impossible knots--in the shade of this tree, I say, there was a rustic seat and table, upon which was a work-basket, a book, and a handkerchief. It was a large, decidedly masculine handkerchief, and as my eyes encountered it, by some unfortunate chance I noticed a monogram embroidered in one corner--an extremely neat, precise monogram, with the letters "F.S." I recognised it at once as the property of Mr. Selwyn.
Ordinarily I should have thought nothing of it, but to-day it was different; for there are times in one's life when the most foolish things become pregnant of infinite possibilities; when the veriest trifles assume overwhelming proportions, filling and blotting out the universe.
So it was now, and as I stared down at the handkerchief, the Doubt within me grew suddenly into Certainty.
I was pacing restlessly up and down when I saw Lisbeth approaching; her cheeks seemed more flushed than usual, and her hand trembled as she gave it to me.
"Why, whatever is the matter with you?" she said; "you look so--so strange, Dick."
"I received a letter from the Duchess this morning."
"Yes; in which she tells me your Aunt has threatened to----"
"Cut me off with a shilling," nodded Lisbeth, crossing over to the table.
"Oh, for goodness' sake, Dick, stop tramping up and down like a--a caged bear, and sit down--do!"
I obeyed; yet as I did so I saw her with the tail of my eye whip up the handkerchief and tuck it beneath the laces at her bosom.
"Lisbeth," said I, without turning my head, "why hide it--there?"
Her face flushed painfully, her lips quivered, and for a moment she could find no answer; then she tried to laugh it off.
"Obviously!" I retorted, and, rising, bowed and turned to go.
"Stay a moment, Dick. I have something to tell you."
"Aren't you just a little bit theatrical, Dick?" Now, as she spoke she drew out Selwyn's handkerchief and began to tie and untie knots in it.