ing over, she marvelled at the silhouette of her
own slim figure. It did not seem to have an actual place among these
frail phantasmagoria. As she stared on she noticed that the end of the
pond farthest from her, to the west, quivered and turned gray. She
looked quickly upward and around. Yes, there to the east was the
answering blur of light. Dawn had begun.

She ran now to the top of the moon-viewing hill. The earth was wider
here; the dawn more at home. Below her where the city used to be was
no city, only a white fog-sea, without an island. The cliff, black at
the base, rising gradually into thinner gray, drove through the air
like the edge of a coming world. A chill breeze swept out from the
hollow, breathing of waking grasses and of dew. The girl shivered, but
it was with ecstacy. "I climb this hillside for my couch, to-night!"
Was he too waking, watching, feeling himself intruder upon a soundless
ritual? There was a hissing noise as of a fawn hurrying down a tangled
slope. The hedge near the cliff end of the garden dipped and squeaked
and shook indignant plumes after a figure that had desecrated its green
guardianship, and was now striding ruthlessly across the enclosure.

Ume heard and saw; then wrung her hands in terror. It was he, of
course,--the Dragon Painter; and he would speak with her. What could
she do? Family honor must be maintained, and so she could not cry for
help. Why had her heart tormented her to go into the night? Why had
she not thought of this possibility? Because of it, life, happiness,
everything might be wrecked, even before they had dared to think of
happiness by name!

Tatsu had reached her. Leaning close he set his eyes to her face as
one who drinks deep and silently.

"I must not remain. Oh, sir, let me pass!" she whispered.

He did not speak or try to touch her. A second gust of wind came from
the cliff, blowing against his hand a long tress of her hair. It was
warm and perfumed, and had the clinging tenderness of youth. He
shivered now, as she was doing, and stood looking down at his hand.
Ume made a swift motion as if to pass him; but he threw out the barrier
of an arm.

"I have been calling you all the night. Now, at last, you have come.
Why did you never answer me upon the mountains?"

"Indeed, I could not. I was not permitted. As you must see for
yourself, lord, in this incarnation I am but a mortal maiden."

"I do not see it for myself," said T