lf
seriously to conjecture the why and wherefore of her secrecy. If he
casually thought of it, he set it down in a general way to an intensely
generous wish on her part not to lessen his influence among the poorer
inhabitants by making him appear the object of patronage.

While he stood by the long snowdrop bed, which looked up at him like a
nether Milky Way, the French casement of the window opposite softly
opened, and a hand bordered by a glimmer of lace was stretched forth,
from which he received a crisp little parcel,--bank-notes, apparently. He
knew the hand, and held it long enough to press it to his lips, the only
form which had ever occurred to him of expressing his gratitude to her
without the incumbrance of clumsy words, a vehicle at the best of times
but rudely suited to such delicate merchandise. The hand was hastily
withdrawn, as if the treatment had been unexpected. Then seemingly moved
by second thoughts she bent forward and said, 'Is the night good for
observations?'

'Perfect.'

She paused. 'Then I'll come to-night,' she at last said. 'It makes no
difference to me, after all. Wait just one moment.'

He waited, and she presently emerged, muffled up like a nun; whereupon
they left the terrace and struck across the park together.

Very little was said by either till they were crossing the fallow, when
he asked if his arm would help her. She did not take the offered support
just then; but when they were ascending the prehistoric earthwork, under
the heavy gloom of the fir-trees, she seized it, as if rather influenced
by the oppressive solitude than by fatigue.

Thus they reached the foot of the column, ten thousand spirits in prison
seeming to gasp their griefs from the funereal boughs overhead, and a few
twigs scratching the pillar with the drag of impish claws as tenacious as
those figuring in St. Anthony's temptation.

'How intensely dark it is just here!' she whispered. 'I wonder you can
keep in the path. Many ancient Britons lie buried there doubtless.'

He led her round to the other side, where, feeling his way with his
hands, he suddenly left her, appearing a moment after with a light.

'What place is this?' she exclaimed.

'This is the new wood cabin,' said he.

She could just discern the outline of a little house, not unlike a
bathing-machine without wheels.

'I have kept lights ready here,' he went on, 'as I thought you might come
any evening, and possibly bring company.'