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Rh did but what that power suggested. One suspicion had taken hold upon me; I resolved to know its truth, and followed the cavalier, whom I soon overtook, keeping at first at cautious distance, till my belief became certainty. Well I knew his light and careless step, pausing beneath the weight of no deep thought, heavy with no deep sorrow; its very grace seemed to me unfeeling. The white plumes waved on his cap, his cloak reflected back the moonbeams from its rich embroidery, and the gems, too, glittered on his light rapier. 'Now, mark the folly of the vain!' I inwardly muttered; 'he is bound to concealment by every tie of love and honour; he should glide along his hidden path like a shadow, and yet he scruples not to draw every eye with his shining gauds!' Still I wished to see his face; against my full conviction I tried to doubt;—he turned suddenly round—it was Lord Avonleigh!

"We stood within two yards of each other in the full moonlight; I felt cold, pale—a shudder ran through every vein. Almost unconsciously my hand sought my rapier; a voice whispered me, One or other must die upon the place! A strange longing for blood arose within me, mingled, too, with a painful shame lest he should reproach me as a spy. I could not have spoken—