“You will do me a very great favour.”

The rustling of a branch at this moment caused both of them to turn in the direction from which the sound came.  The form of a man was, for an instant, distinctly seen, close to the summer-house.  But it vanished, ere more than the dim outline was perceived.

“Who can that be, hovering about in so stealthy a manner?” Mr. Willet spoke with rising indignation, starting to his feet as he uttered the words.

“Probably the very person about whom we were conversing,” said Fanny.

“This is an outrage!  Come, Miss Markland, let us return to the house, and I will at once make inquiry of Mr. Ellis about this stranger.”

Fanny again took the proffered arm of Mr. Willet, and the two went silently back, and joined the company from which they had a little while before retired.  The latter at once made inquiry of Mr. Ellis respecting the stranger who had been introduced to him.  The answers were far from being satisfactory.

“He is a young man whose acquaintance I made about a year ago.  He was then a frequent visitor in my family, and we found him an intelligent, agreeable companion.  For several months he has been spending his time at the South.  A few weeks ago, he returned and renewed his friendly relations.  On learning that we were to be among your guests on this occasion, he expressed so earnest a desire to be present, that we took the liberty sometimes assumed among friends, and brought him along.  If we have, in the least, trespassed on our privileges as your guests, we do most deeply regret the circumstance.”

And this was all Mr. Willet could learn, at the time, in reference to the stranger, who, on being sought for, was nowhere to be found.  He had heard enough of the conversation that passed between Mr. Willet and Fanny, as he listened to them while they sat in the summer-house, to satisfy him that if he remained longer at “Sweetbrier,” he would become an object of the host’s too careful observation.

CHAPTER XL.

A FEW weeks prior to the time at which the incidents of the preceding chapter occurred, a man, with a rough, neglected exterior, and face almost hidden by an immense beard, landed at New Orleans from one of the Gulf steamers, and was driven to the St. Charles Hotel.  His manner was restless, yet wary.  He gave his name as Falkner, and repaired at once to the room assigned to him.

“Is there a boarder in the house named Leach?” he made inquiry of the servant who came up with his baggage.

“There is,” was replied.

“Will you ascertain if he is in, and say that I wish to see him?”

“What name, sir?” inquired the servant.

“No matter.  Give the number of my room.”

The servant departed, and in a few minutes conducted a man to the apartment of the stranger.

“Ah! you are here!” exclaimed the former, starting forward, and grasping tightly the hand that was extended to receive him.  “When did you arrive?”