e pit of "visible night."

Out of the tunnel into the comparatively open space, the wind
boomed with all its force, and like an enraged monster, drove the
storm-clouds, now rainless, across the sky. Occasionally the moon
appeared through some aperture, serene, peace-inspiring, momentarily
gilding the dark vapor, and again was swallowed up by another mass of
clouds. A brood of shadows leaped around them, like things of life,
now dancing in the road or pursuing through the tufts of grass, then
vanishing over the meadows or disappearing in murky nooks. But a
moment were they gone and then, marshaled in new numbers, menacing
before and behind, under the very feet of the horse, bidding
defiance to the clattering hoofs. With mane tossed in the angry
wind, and nostrils dilated, the animal neighed with affright, suddenly
leaping aside, as a little nest of unknown dangers lurked and
rustled in the ambush of a drift of animated brush.

At that abrupt start, the rider swayed; his grasp tightened about the
actress' waist; her arms involuntarily held him closer. Loosened by
the wind and the mad motion, her hair brushed his cheek and fell over
his shoulder, whipped sharply in the breeze. A fiercer gust, sweeping
upon them uproariously, sent all the tresses free, and scudded by with
an exultant shriek. For a time they rode in this wise, her face cold
in the rush of wind; his gaze fixed ahead, striving to pierce the
gloom, and then he drew rein, holding the horse with some difficulty
at a standstill in the center of the thoroughfare.

With senses numbed by the stirring flight, the young girl had been
oblivious to the firmness of the soldier's sustaining grasp, but now
as they paused in the silent, deserted spot, she became suddenly
conscious of it. The pain--so fast he held her!--made her wince. She
turned her face to his. A glint of light fell on his brow and any
lines that had appeared there were erased in the magical glimmer;
eagerness, youth, passion alone shone upon his features.

His arm clasped her even yet more closely, as if in the wildness of
the moment he would fiercely draw her to him regardless of all. Did
she understand--that with her face so near his, her hair surrounding
him, her figure pressed in that close embrace--he must needs speak to
her; had, indeed, spoken to her. She was conscious her hand on his
shoulder trembled. Her cheek was no longer cold; abruptly the warm
glow mantled it. Was it but that a momentary