But now I began to reflect along that line, yet never for a moment forgetting our situation, or its peril.

I was going down into the neighborhood where Willifred Hardy lived--to which she had probably already returned.
I was going as an enemy to her cause, guided by an ex-slave of Le Gaire's.

It was rather an odd turn of Fate's wheel, and, while there was no probability of our meeting, yet the conditions were suggestive.

My eyes were upon the dim form in advance, and I was strongly tempted to ask if he knew where Major Hardy's plantation was.

Beyond doubt he did, but this was no time for dalliance with love, and I drove the temptation sternly from me, endeavoring to concentrate my mind on present duty.