CHAPTER XIII.
A Lover's Fate and a Friend's Counsel.
It was about half-past three when Stafford left Territon Park; about the same hour Claudia sallied forth from the Dower House to take her constitutional.

When two people start to walk at the same time from opposite ends of the same road, barring accidents, they meet somewhere about the middle.

In accordance with this law, when Claudia was about two miles from home, walking along the path through the dense woods of Territon Park, she saw Stafford coming toward her.

There were no means of escape, and with a sigh of resignation she sat down on a rustic seat and awaited his approach.

He saw her as soon as she saw him, and came up to her without any embarrassment.
"I am lucky," he said, "I was going over to see you." Claudia had given some thought to this interview and had determined on her best course.
"Mr.Lane told me you were coming." "Dear old Eugene!" "But I hoped you would not." "Don't let us begin at the end.