Details began to appear where heretofore all had been
mass. Pearl tints proclaimed the east, and presently these were
replaced by a flush of delicate colour deepening into rose, and
the every-day world of the mighty forest was upon them with its
night mystery gone.
But not the romance of their errand, or the anxiety which both
felt as to its ultimate fulfilment. This it had been easier to
face when they themselves as well as all about them, were but
moving shadows in each other's eyes. Full sight brought full
realisation. However they might seek to cloak the fact, they could
no longer disguise from themselves that the object of their
journey might not be acceptable to the man in hiding at Tempest
Lodge. Reuther's faith in him was strong, but even her courage
faltered as she thought of the disgrace awaiting him whatever the
circumstances or however he might look upon his father's
imperative command to return.
But she did not draw rein, and the three continued to ride up and
on. Suddenly, however, one of them showed disturbance. Mr. Sloan
was seen to turn his head sharply, and in another moment his two
companions heard him say:
"We are followed. Ride on and leave me to take a look."
Instinctively they also glanced back before obeying. They were
just rounding the top of an abrupt hill, and expected to have an
uninterrupted view of the road behind. But the masses of foliage
were as yet too thick for them to see much but the autumnal red
and yellow spread out below them.
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