It was now twilight, and he had read but a few minutes when he observed a lady, attired in deep black, and leading a boy, apparently some five or six years old, coming up one of the beautiful, winding paths.

As the lady's veil was drawn closely over her face, he felt somewhat at liberty to eye her more closely.

While thus engaged, the lady gave a slight scream, and seemed suddenly to have fallen into a fainting condition.

Jerome sprang from his seat, and caught her in time to save her from falling to the ground.
At this moment an elderly gentleman, also dressed in black, was seen approaching with a hurried step, which seemed to indicate that he was in some way connected with the lady.

The old man came up, and in rather a confused manner inquired what had happened, and Jerome explained matters as well as he was able to do so.