e. Naturally
everything, now--" he broke off and wandered to a window, holding aside
the draperies, gazing out into the night. The sky was so luminous that
the barriers of surrounding hills were printed clearly against starry
space. The forest swept about in a dark veil; nowhere could be seen a
glimpse of habitation. He heard the wavering cry of an owl.

The Province, immense, secretive! Paper lanterns strung in parks, hid
music, provocative smiles only playing with the heart! It was
tremendously unfortunate. Why must they suffer so unreasonably?
Something, he was certain, had gone wrong; it lay both within them and
outside; a force diverted, a purpose unaccomplished. It bent, broke,
them like two twigs; they were no more than two bubbles, momentarily
reflecting the sky, on a profound depth. A wind stirred, oppressed them,
and they were gone. A great pity for Ludowika took its place in his
feelings. He was sorry for himself. Suddenly the rustle of her skirts
approached.

An infinitely seductive, warm arm crept about his neck; she abandoned
herself to a ruthless embrace. "It's been wonderful, Howat; and--and it
isn't over, yet. Nothing lasts, it's a mistake to demand too much. We
must take what we may. Perhaps, even, later--in London. No, don't
interrupt me. After all, I'm wiser than you are. I was swept away for a
little. Impossibilities. I am what I am. I was always that, inside of
me. If the longing I told you about had been stronger, it, and not the
court, would have made me; but it was no more than a glimpse seen from a
window, a thing far away. I'd never reach it. This, now, has been the
best of me, all."

He had a mingled sense of the truth and futility of her words. It was
as if his passion stood apart from them, dominating them, lashing him
with desire. Nothing she might say, no necessity nor effort, could free
them. The uselessness of words smote him. She spoke again, an urgent
flow of dulcet sound against his ear; but it was without meaning, lost
in the drumming of his blood. The stir of feet approached, and he
released her, moving to the fireplace. It was Caroline. She stopped
awkwardly, advancing a needless explanation of a trivial errand from the
doorway, and vanished.

His position at Myrtle Forge was fast becoming impossible. There would
be an explosion now at any moment. He took the fire tongs and idly
rearranged the wood on the hearth. The flames blazed more brightly,
their reflection squirmed over