acking up," said Perigal.

"Surely not yet, dearest."

"But it's past six."

"Don't let us go a moment sooner than is necessary," she pleaded. "It's
all been too wonderful."

As the September sun had sunk behind the cliffs, they no longer felt
his warmth. When Perigal had packed the luncheon basket, they walked
about hand in hand, exploring the inmost recesses of their romantic
retreat. It was only when it was quite dusk that they regretfully made
a start for home.

"Go on a moment. I must take a last look of where I have been so
happy," said Mavis.

"Alone?"

"If you don't mind. I want to see what it's like without you. I want to
carry it in my mind all my life."

It was not long before Mavis rejoined her lover. When she had looked at
the spot where she had enjoyed a day of unalloyed rapture, it appeared
strangely desolate in the gathering gloom of night.

"Serve you right for wishing to be without me," he laughed, when she
told him how the place had presented itself to her.

"You're quite right. It does," she assented.

They had some difficulty in finding foothold on the covered way, but
Perigal, by lighting matches, did much to dissipate the gloom.

"Isn't it too bad of me?" asked Mavis suddenly, "I've forgotten all
about dear Jill."

"But you were talking about her a lot yesterday."

"I mean to-day. She'd never forgive me if she knew."

"You must explain how happy you've been when you see her."

When they got out by the churchyard, they found that the night was
spread with innumerable stars. She nestled close to his side as they
walked in the direction of Polperro. Now and again, a thick growth of
hedge flowers would fill their pathway with scent, when Mavis would
stop to drink her fill of the fragrance.

"Isn't it delicious?" she asked.

"It knew you were coming and has done its best to greet you."

"It's all too wonderful," she murmured.

"Like your good-night kisses," he whispered.

A love tremor possessed her body.

"Say I love you," she said at another of their frequent halts.

"I love you! I love you! I love you!"

"I love music. But there's no music like that."

He placed his arm caressingly about her soft, warm body.

"Don't!" she pleaded.

"Don't!" he queried in surprise.

"It makes me love you so."

She spoke truly: from her lips to her pretty toes her body was burning
with love. Her ecstasy was such that one moment she felt as if she
could wing a flight into the heav