positively stifling. I am longing for some fresh air."

He was silent for a moment or two. It was so natural that she should
go, and yet in a sense it was so unexpected. Looking steadily across
at her as she leaned back amongst the cushions of her chair, her dark
eyes watching his face, her attitude and expression alike convincing
him in some subtle way of her satisfaction at his presence, he became
suddenly conscious that the time which he had dimly anticipated with
mingled fear and pleasure was now close at hand. His heart was beating
with a quickened throb! He was aghast as he realized with quick,
unerring truth the full effect of her words upon him. He drew a sharp
little breath and walked to the open window, taking in a long draught
of the fresh night air, sweetly scented with the perfume of the
flowers in her boxes. Her voice came to him low and sweet from the
interior of the room.

"There is a little farmhouse in Devonshire which belongs to me. It is
nothing but a tumbledown, grey stone place; but there are hills, and
meadows, and country lanes, and the sea. I want to go there."

"Away from me!" he cried hoarsely.

"Will you come too?" she murmured.

[Illustration: She did not answer him. But indeed there was no need]

He turned back into the room and looked at her. She was standing
up, coming towards him; a faint tinge of pink colour had stained her
cheek--her bosom was heaving--her eyes were challenging his with a
light which needed no borrowed brilliancy. Go with her! The man's
birthright, his passion, which through the long days of his austere
life had lain dormant and undreamt of swept up from his heart. He held
out his arms, and she came across the room to him with a sweet effort
of self-yielding which yet waited for while it invited his embrace.

"You mean it?" he murmured, "you are sure?"

She did not answer him. But indeed there was no need.

CHAPTER XII

Matravers never altogether forgot the sensations with which he awoke
on the following morning. Notwithstanding a sleepless night, he rose
and made a deliberate toilet with a wonderful buoyancy of spirits. The
change which had come into his life was a thing so wonderful that he
could scarcely realize it. Yet it was true! He had found the one
experience in life which had hitherto been denied him, and he was
amazed at the full extent of its power and sweetness. He felt himself
to be many years younger! Old dreams and enthusiasms were sud