up Abbey Lane."

They turned aside and were making their way to the path that led under
the Abbey wall to the highroad, when they saw Dr. Brydone and his son
coming from that direction.

"Really, there's a conspiracy of Brydones to waylay us this afternoon,"
Guy exclaimed, petulantly. "We shall have to go through the Abbey
grounds."

Pauline had passed the wicket, which he had impulsively flung open,
before she realized the violation of one of her age-long rules.

"It's really rather jolly in here to-day," said Guy. "I think we're
duffers not to come more often, you know."

The Autumn wind was booming round the plantation and sweeping up the
broad path down the hillside with a skelter of leaves that gave a wild
gaiety to the usually tristful scene.

"Why shouldn't we explore inside?" suggested Guy. "There's something so
exhilarating about this great west wind. Almost one could fancy it might
blow away that ghost of a house."

Pauline hesitated; since earliest childhood the Abbey had oppressed her
with ill omen, and she could not overcome her prejudice in a moment.

"You're not really afraid when you're with me?" he persisted.

Pauline surrendered, and they went across the etiolated lawn towards the
entrance. The wind was roaring through every crevice, and the ivy was
scratching restlessly at the panes or shivering where through the gaps
it had crept in with furry tendrils.

"It's rather fun to be walking up this staircase as if this were our own
house," said Guy.

Pauline had an impulse to go back, and she made a quick step to descend.

"Where are you going?"

"Guy, I think I feel afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

"Oh, not of anything. Just afraid."

"Come, foolish one," he whispered, gently.

And she, though it was against her will, followed him up the echoing
empty stairs.

They went into every room, and Guy declared how they with their love
were restoring to each of them the life it had known in the past. Here
was a pleasant fancy, and Pauline hoped it might be true. In the thought
that their presence was in a way the bestowal of charity on these
maltreated halls she lost much of her alarm and began to enjoy the
solitude spent with Guy. Whether they looked out at the wilderness that
once was a garden or at the rank lawn in front, the thunderous wind
surging round the house brought them closer together in the
consciousness of their own shelter and their own peace in this deserted
habitation.

"No