“There is some one watching us!” cried John, excitedly, and half rising.

“Nonsense!” said Nelly; “it is only a cat.  Sit down again.”

This invitation was not to be declined.  John sat down again, though still a little restless and uneasy.  For some moments all was still.  John had concluded that Nelly’s suggestion was a correct one, and they had begun to chat quite unconcernedly, when they were again interrupted.  This time the sound was that of an approaching footstep, and for an instant a dark shadow fell across the moonlit path in front of them.  Nelly was now fairly frightened, she uttered a faint shriek, and clung to John for protection.  Doubtless this was a very pleasant appeal to the young farmer, but just now wrath mastered every other feeling.  He was ever easily angered, and, to be sure, the thought that they were watched was by no means agreeable.  So, with a quick caress, he loosened her clasp and started to his feet, exclaiming,—­

“Don’t be frightened, dear!  I’ll punish the rascal!”

He made a dash in the direction whence the sound had come.  In the shade of the trees stood the intruder quite still, making no attempt to avoid the furious onset.  Mad with rage, John seized him by the collar, and, striking him repeatedly, and muttering curses, dragged him towards the bench where Nelly sat trembling.  A few staggering steps, and they were on the path, with the pure, peaceful light of the moon falling full on the stranger’s face.

“Good God!” cried John, loosening his hold,—­“it is my brother!”

James drew himself up, tossing back his disordered hair, and for a moment the two men regarded each other with stern, fixed looks, as if they were preparing for another encounter.  By this time, Nelly, who was completely terrified, had begun to weep convulsively, and her sobs broke the ominous silence, as she gasped,—­

“Oh, John, please don’t strike him again!”

At these words, John started, as if stung, and, looking at her with indignant sadness, said,—­

“There, you needn’t cry, Nelly!  I won’t hurt him; I will leave him to you safely.”

Then, overcome by the rush of recollection, he burst out, passionately,—­

“Oh, James!  James! you have rendered my life miserable by your treacheries, and now you have robbed me of her!  This is no place to settle our quarrels; but I have sworn it once, and I swear it again now, some day I will be revenged!”

He would not stop to hear Nelly’s entreating voice; but, full of the one dreadful thought, that all her anxieties had been for another, while he was indifferent to her, he mounted his horse, without one backward look, and galloped fast away.  I can fancy there was a wild whirl of emotion in his passionate heart:  deadly hatred, jealousy, and crossed love are enough to drive any man mad.