nscious of passing events. She would see nothing, hear
nothing, until the mood passed and she became conscious of a desire for
movement. For half an hour to come, perhaps for an hour, she would
remain oblivious, and, meanwhile, with every moment the stream was
rising and gaining more deadly swiftness.

Lilith crooked one arm round the bough of the tree and raised bent hands
to her mouth. The stepping-stones were still well above water. She
would send her piercing "coo-ee" across the stream and continue to send
it, until the unusual character of the sound attracted Eve's attention,
then she would go to meet her, and help her to the bank. There would be
no danger, only a spice of excitement; a thrilling realisation of what
might have been. No more.

Lilith pursed her lips to give the signal, but the signal did not come.
Poised in the very attitude of preparation, a sudden change of
expression showed in her still eyes, or rather an arrestment of
expression; the features remained fixed and immovable, while the brain
worked.

For one long minute she stood motionless, then, slowly, her hands fell
to her sides; she bent downwards until once more her knees rested on the
fork of the tree, from hence she let herself gently to the ground. No
one had seen her. The Innkeeper was busy; the road stretched ahead bare
and empty. No one would interfere.

Lilith walked to the nearest bridge, crossed it and seated herself on a
sloping bank. The ground was raised above the level of the canal, and
by raising her head she could see the chain of stepping-stones leading
to the rocky islet. She folded her hands in her lap and watched. The
sun shone out from behind a leaden bank of clouds, and beat on her face.
What was the expression of Lilith's face? There was strength on it, an
immense, all-conquering strength; there was the mark of strain, in
deepened line and close-set lip; but there was something else--something
dominating, overriding. It shone in the eyes; the pose of the head
showed it, the beating pulse in the throat. It was joy--primitive,
triumphant joy!

The stepping-stones grew small and smaller; above the dark swirl of the
river their grey surfaces caught the sun and gleamed into silver. Once
and anon branches of a tree borne down by the flood were caught by one
of these islets and for a moment held bound, then the swirl and the rush
overcame, and they were swept relentlessly onward. Lilith's lips
tightened as