ss and sinking into the soft depths of slumber, I
waked with an almost convulsive start, and a remembrance of the cry I
had heard or dreamed. I was sure it must have been the latter, although,
I told myself, there might actually have been some fracas in the street
which, in my sleep, I had confused with a dream of Harvey Farnham.

Resigning myself to wakefulness at last, I began to plan out the
programme of the next week, and wonder how soon I might avail myself of
Lady Tressidy's invitation to call. She was at home on Sundays
informally, she had said, whenever she happened to be in town during the
winter, though Thursday was her "day" during the season.

Now, the Thursday following would be Christmas Day (this most eventful
night being Christmas Eve of last year), but I did not see why I might
not look in for a few moments on the ensuing Sunday. It had only been
because Sir Walter's affairs rendered a short stay in town necessary,
that they were spending Christmas in Park Lane. They would probably go
away in a few days, and I could not afford to lose my chance; for,
though I had admired many women in my time, I had never yet seen one
whom I wished to make my wife, until Karine Cunningham's lovely face had
risen--fair and sweet as a new moon that mingled its silver with the
rose of sunset--over my horizon.

I had laughed at men who gravely discussed the possibility of love at
first sight, but now I began to realise, half shamefacedly, that it was
not a thing to be convinced of through argument, but by thrilling,
magical experience. I would have staked my life that Karine Cunningham's
heart and mind were all that her face presaged of them, and I resolved
that, if she were to be won, I would put my very life into the attempt
to win her.

So thinking, and so resolving, I fell at last from waking dreams to
sleeping ones, hoping dimly, as I slipped over the edge of realities,
that they might be of Karine Cunningham. But they were not of her.
Hardly had slumber got its hold upon me, when I saw myself by the river,
looking down into a swiftly rushing tide. It seemed to be somewhere in
the country, though I had little thought for my surroundings; and I was
conscious that I was watching anxiously for the appearance of some
object, whose nature I did not accurately know. It had been daylight in
my vision at first--a cold, grey, wintry daylight--but suddenly night
fell, with the rapidity that all changes come and go in dreamlan