ard no more, leaving her
oppressed by a sense of loneliness and desertion. Something akin to an
antique mood fell upon her, as if she had been given an augury of an
irreversible fate.

This spiritual quiescence, numbing her from a realisation of her
purpose, held until she disappeared into the huge archway of the tower
and began to ascend the narrow stairs. But here her spirit failed her,
and she paused. Standing motionless in the gloom, she could hear her
heart beating wildly, and the folly of her intention became apparent.
But the momentum of her original purpose presently urged her on, it
seemed against her will and better judgement, until she stood before
Leigh's half-open door. Had the door been closed, she might not have
been able to bring herself to knock, she might have turned and departed
as silently as she had come; but there was an invitation in this
accidental circumstance, to which the gleam of an open fire gave warmth
and persuasion.

Listening intently, she heard no sound from within. The few students
she had met on the hillside were the only ones she had seen, and she
guessed that the majority were still detained by their recitations. At
the end of the hour, he would doubtless return from a class. There was
time for her to recall what she wished to say and how she would begin.
Reassured by this reflection, she was about to enter, when the door on
the other side of the hall opened, and she turned to see Cardington's
tall figure against the light from within.

"I was listening for your step, Miss Felicity," he said, "having
observed your approach from my corner window, but you came as quietly
as a snowflake. This is an unexpected honour. It's a long time since
I have had the pleasure of a call from you; in fact, not since those
days of blessed memory when you were a little girl, and used to run up
to take a look at my pictures. But come in. Perhaps I can make you a
cup of afternoon tea."

She followed him into the room, and said nothing until he had closed
the door behind her. Then she flung back her hood with a sweep of her
hand and met his gaze steadily.

"You know I did n't come to see you, don't you?" she demanded with
quiet defiance.

"Far be it from me," he temporised, "to assume accurate knowledge of
anything as doubtful as the direction a charming young woman's favour
may take; but I thought it possible--I thought it possible--for old
sake's sake."

The repetition of the remin