Chapter 25

           Forsomeminutesaftertheladyofthelazoandherattendanthadpassedoutofsight,LouisePoindexterpursuedthetrainofreflection—startedbythesomewhatsingularepisodeofwhichshehadbeenspectator.Herattitude,andair,ofcontinueddejectiontoldthatherthoughtshadnotbeendirectedintoamorecheerfulchannel.

           Ratherthereverse.Onceortwicebeforehadhermindgivenwaytoimaginings,connectedwiththataccomplishedequestrienne;andmorethanoncehadshespeculateduponherpurposeinridinguptheroad.Theincidentjustwitnessedhadsuddenlychangedherconjecturesintosuspicionsofanexceedinglyunpleasantnature.

           Itwasarelieftoher,whenahorsemanappearedcomingoutofthechapparal,atthepointwheretheothershadriddenin;astillgreaterrelief,whenhewasseentoswerveintothecrosspaththatconductedtothehacienda,andwasrecognised,throughthelorgnette,asZebStumpthehunter.

           ThefaceoftheCreolebecamebrightagain—almosttogaiety.Therewassomethingominousofgoodintheopportuneappearanceofthehonestbackwoodsman.

           "ThemanIwaswantingtosee!"sheexclaimedinjoyousaccents."Hecanbearmeamessage;andperhapstellwhosheis.Hemusthavemetherontheroad.Thatwillenablemetointroducethesubject,withoutZebhavinganysuspicionofmyobject.EvenwithhimImustbecircumspect—afterwhathashappened.Ah,me!NotmuchshouldIcare,ifIweresureofhiscaringforme.