She was in sight of the church, when a short, fat little man suddenly met her.

He was out of breath, as if he had been running.

In the gathering twilight she recognized him as her persecutor.
"Ah! Miss Stevens, this is truly extraordinary.

Believe me, this meeting is quite providential, for it enables me to pour into your ear my tale of love." "Mr.Peram, begone, leave me!" "Oh, no, my dear, I will never let you go until you have consented to take my name." In his zeal, the ungentlemanly wooer seized her hand, and his vicious little eyes glared at her with such ferocity, that she gave utterance to a shriek of fear.

The tread of hurried feet fell on her ears, and through the deepening shades of twilight, she caught a glimpse of a scarlet coat, long white hair and beard and flashing jewels.