ver broader and fuller with every mile it
traversed. The sunlight which played on it, making it look like a
silver ribbon, played also on the yellow gorse and purple heather; on
the long grey stretch of country in the distance; on that softer blue
plain joining the skyline, which was the sea itself. A breath of salt
seemed to mingle with the aromatic odour of the heather, adding tenfold
to its exhilaration.

As Margot stood holding on to her hat, and waiting for her companion's
approach, she felt such a glorious sense of youth and well-being, such
an assurance of happiness to come, as is seldom given to mortals to
enjoy. It was written in her face, her radiant, lovely young face, and
the light in the eyes which she turned upon him made the shy scholar
catch his breath.

"You did that well! Magnificently well!" he cried approvingly. "But
you must take the descent carefully, please. There are one or two
sudden dips which might be awkward if you were not prepared. I know
them all. Shall I,--would you,--will you take my hand?"

"Thank you!" said Margot, and laid her hand in his with an acceptance as
simple as if he had been her own brother. It was a very pretty little
hand, in which its owner felt a justifiable pride, and it lay like a
white snowflake in the strong brown palm stretched out to meet it.

For just a moment George Elgood kept his fingers straight and unclasped,
while he gazed downward at it with kindling eyes, then they closed in a
tight, protecting clasp, and together they began the descent.

For the most part it was easy enough, but the awkward places came so
often and unexpectedly that it did not seem worth while to unloose that
grasp until the bottom was safely reached. Margot had a dream-like
sensation of having wandered along for hours, but in reality it was a
bare ten minutes before she and her guide were standing on level ground
by the side of the rushing river.

"Thank you! That was a great help," she said quietly. George Elgood,
with a sudden access of shyness, made no reply, but busied himself with
preparation.

"I'll just make another cast, to show you how one sets to work. I take
a pretty big fly--the trout like that. These are the flies--all sizes,
as you see. I am rather proud of them, for I make them myself in the
winter months, when one can enjoy only the pleasures of anticipation.
It's a good occupation for a leisure hour."

"You make them yourself!" Margot repeated in