“They will be very apt to be influenced by the notions of a certain captain Willoughby, and Wilhelmina, his wife, who have guided me aright on so many occasions, that I shall not easily distrust their opinions on this.”

The major disliked this answer; and yet, when he came to reflect on it, as reflect he did a good deal in the course of the day, he was dissatisfied with himself at being so unreasonable as to expect a girl of twenty-one not to think with her parents, real or presumed, in most matters.  At the moment, however, he did not wish further to press the point.

“I am glad to learn, Bob,” resumed Maud, looking more cheerful and smiling, “that you met with no one in your rash sortie—­for rash I shall call it, even though sanctioned by my father.”

“I am wrong in saying that.  We did meet with one man, and that was no less a person than your bug-bear, Joel Strides—­as innocent, though as meddling an overseer as one could wish to employ.”

“Robert Willoughby, what mean you!  Does this man know of your presence at the Knoll?”

“I should hope not—­think not.”  Here the major explained all that is known to the reader on this head, when he continued—­“The fellow’s curiosity brought his face within a few inches of mine; yet I do not believe he recognised me.  This disguise is pretty thorough; and what between his ignorance, the darkness and the dress, I must believe he was foiled.”

“Heaven be praised!” exclaimed Maud, breathing more freely.  “I have long distrusted that man, though he seems to possess the confidence of every one else.  Neither my father nor my mother will see him, as I see him; yet to me his design to injure you is so clear—­so obvious!—­I wonder, often wonder, that others cannot view it as I do.  Even Beulah is blind!”

“And what do you see so clearly, Maud?  I have consented to keep myself incog. in submission to your earnest request; and yet, to own the truth, I can discover no particular reason why Strides is to be distrusted more than any one else in the valley—­than Mike, for instance.”

“Mike!  I would answer for his truth with my life. He will never betray you, Bob.”

“But why is Joel so much the object of your distrust?—­and why am I the particular subject of your apprehensions?”

Maud felt the tell-tale blood flowing again to her cheeks; since, to give a simple and clear reason for her distrust, exceeded her power.  It was nothing but the keen interest which she took in Robert Willoughby’s safety that had betrayed to her the truth; and, as usually happens, when anxiety leads the way in discoveries of this sort, logical and plausible inferences are not always at command.  Still, Maud not only thought herself right, but, in the main, she was right; and this she felt so strongly as to be enabled to induce others to act on her impressions.