l through this night of waiting that no prayer was needed.
Isabel was so near the mountain-top that surely she was safe--nearer
already to God than any of their prayers could bring her.

And yet Scott was wrestling here as one overwhelmed with evil. Wherefore?
Wherefore? The steady faith of this good friend of hers had never to her
knowledge flickered before. What had happened to shake him thus?

He was praying again, more coherently but in words so low that they were
scarcely audible. She crept a little nearer, and now she could see him,
kneeling at the table, his head sunk upon it, his arms flung wide with
clenched fists that seemed impotently to beat the air.

"I'm praying all wrong," he whispered. "Forgive me, but I'm all in the
dark to-night. Thou knowest, Lord, how awful the dark can be. I'm not
asking for an answer. Only guide our feet! Deliver us from evil--deliver
her--O God--deliver my Dinah--by that love which is of Thee and which
nothing will ever alter! If I may not help her, give me strength--to
stand aside!"

A great shiver went through him; he gripped his hands together suddenly
and passionately.

"O my God," he groaned, "it's the hardest thing on earth--to stand and do
nothing--when I love her so."

Something seemed to give way within him with the words. His shoulders
shook convulsively. He buried his face in his arms.

And in that moment the power that had stayed Dinah upon the threshold
suddenly urged her forward.

Almost before she realized it, she was there at his side, stooping over
him, holding him--holding him fast in a clasp that was free from any
hesitation or fear, a clasp in which all her pulsing womanhood rushed
forth to him, exulting, glorying in its self-betrayal.

"My dear! Oh, my dear!" she said. "Are you praying for me?"

"Dinah!" he said.

Just her name, no more; but spoken in a tone that thrilled her through
and through! He leaned against her for a few moments, almost as if he
feared to move. Then, as one gathering strength, he uttered a great sigh
and slowly got to his feet.

"You mustn't bother about me," he said, and the sudden rapture had all
gone out of his voice; it had the flatness of utter weariness. "I shall
be all right."

But Dinah's hands yet clung to his shoulders. Those moments of yielding
had revealed to her more than any subsequent word or action could belie.
Her eyes, shining with a great light, looked straight into his.

"Dear Scott! Dear Greatheart!