clouds passed, and a new moon rose behind the
fortress and threw a golden shimmer over the sea. The waves were washing
over the rocks with a deep, mysterious murmuring. To Chris, kneeling at
her window, it was as if they were trying to tell her a secret. She had
knelt down to pray, but her thoughts had wandered, and somehow she could
not call them back. Almost in spite of herself, she went in spirit over
the rocks till she came to the Magic Cave. And here she would have
entered, but could not, for the tide was rising and barred her out.

"Not there, _mignonne_," said a soft voice at her side.

She turned her head. Surely he had spoken in the stillness! Surely it was
no dream!

But the action brought her back, back to the shadowy room, and the
moonlit sea, and the prayer that was still little more than a vague
longing in her heart.

She uttered a brief sigh, and rose. And in that moment she found herself
face to face with her husband.

"Trevor!" she said, startled.

He was standing close to her, and suddenly she knew that he had been
there for some time, waiting for her to rise.

Her first impulse was one of nervous irresolution, but it possessed her
for a moment only. With scarcely a pause she went straight into his arms.

"I'm so glad you've come," she whispered. "Isn't the sea lovely? Have
you--have you seen the new moon?"

He held her in silence, and she heard the beating of his heart, strong
and steady, where she had pillowed her head. She turned her face upwards
after a little.

"Trevor, do you remember, long ago, how we saw the new moon together--and
you wished? Have you wished this time?"

"It is always the same wish with me," he said.

"What! Hasn't it come true yet?" She leaned her head back to see his face
the better. "Trevor," she said, "are you sure it hasn't come true?"

She saw his faint smile in the moonlight. "I think I should know if it
had, dear."

"I'm not so sure," said Chris. "Men are very silly. They never see
anything that isn't absolutely in black and white, and not always then.
Tell me what it was you wished for."

But he shook his head. "That isn't fair, is it? If the gods hear, it will
be struck off the list at once."

"Never mind the gods," said Chris despotically. "I'll get it for you
somehow--even if they do. Now tell me! Whisper!" She drew down his head
and waited expectantly.

"What a ghastly predicament!" he said.

"Trevor! Don't laugh! I'm not laughing."

"I'm s