oofs behind the homestead: or perchance as they detected some other
sound, too subtle for human ears.

"How restless everything is to-night," said the girl, listening.
"Dearest, it seems a little bit eerie."

"Oh, on a fine still night things always move about more. It may be
something stirring up all those baboons--a leopard perhaps--not wild
dogs I hope. You know it's one of my hobbies that, being able to hear
all sorts of wild animal voices when I sit out here of an evening, or
when I am lying awake. It's one of the charms of this place. I wonder
if the next man here will say the same."

"Don't. Oh, is there no way out," she cried, in a despairing tone, "no
way by which you will not be forced to part with this beautiful place
you love so much, and where our lives were to have passed in a very
paradise? No way?"

"None."

Then both sat in silence, fingers intertwined. A rim of gold peered up
from behind the dark outline of the opposite _rand_, then a broad disc,
and the great fiery moon soared aloft, penetrating the shadowed recesses
of the river valley in a network of silvern gleams. At last Lalante
spoke.

"Dearest, I have to say it, as you know, but--it is time."

"To saddle up? Yes, I'm afraid it is. But it isn't good-bye yet,
seeing we shall be together for another hour and a half."

Both had risen. The girl went to find her hat and gloves while Wyvern
lighted a waggon lantern and went round to the stable. In his mind was
the consciousness of the awful depression that would be upon him during
his return ride; when her presence was withdrawn. They would see each
other again on the morrow in all probability, but--even then it would be
under different circumstances.

The horses, fresh and willing in the cool air, snorted and sidled as
their riders fared forth into the peaceful beauty of the radiant night.
So fresh were they, indeed, that they could have covered the ten miles
that lay before them in far less time than their said riders were
disposed to allow them. And the latter were not inclined for hurry.
This ride beneath the golden moon, the loom of the heights against the
pale sky near and far, the sweet breaths of night distilling perfume
from herb and flower, and they two together--alone. They talked--and
the subject of their talk was one that never grew old--that never
palled--for it was of the time which had elapsed since they had first
met--and loved; and that time was one. Talked