lp them further, but finding that he made things
worse, he stepped aside to let them pass and then sauntered inwards. The
whole field, with concentric circles, was visible, and the broad leaves
of the turnips rustled in the gathering wind. Miss Pembroke and Elliot
were moving towards the Cadover entrance. Mrs. Failing stood watching in
her turn on the opposite bank. He was not an inquisitive boy; but as he
leant against the tree he wondered what it was all about, and whether he
would ever know.

XIV

On the way back--at that very level-crossing where he had paused on
his upward route--Rickie stopped suddenly and told the girl why he had
fainted. Hitherto she had asked him in vain. His tone had gone from him,
and he told her harshly and brutally, so that she started away with
a horrified cry. Then his manner altered, and he exclaimed: "Will you
mind? Are you going to mind?"

"Of course I mind," she whispered. She turned from him, and saw up on
the sky-line two figures that seemed to be of enormous size.

"They're watching us. They stand on the edge watching us. This country's
so open--you--you can't they watch us wherever we go. Of course you
mind."

They heard the rumble of the train, and she pulled herself together.
"Come, dearest, we shall be run over next. We're saying things that have
no sense." But on the way back he repeated: "They can still see us. They
can see every inch of this road. They watch us for ever." And when they
arrived at the steps there, sure enough, were still the two figures
gazing from the outer circle of the Rings.

She made him go to his room at once: he was almost hysterical. Leighton
brought out some tea for her, and she sat drinking it on the little
terrace. Of course she minded.

Again she was menaced by the abnormal. All had seemed so fair and so
simple, so in accordance with her ideas; and then, like a corpse, this
horror rose up to the surface. She saw the two figures descend and pause
while one of them harnessed the pony; she saw them drive downward, and
knew that before long she must face them and the world. She glanced at
her engagement ring.

When the carriage drove up Mrs. Failing dismounted, but did not speak.
It was Stephen who inquired after Rickie. She, scarcely knowing the
sound of her own voice, replied that he was a little tired.

"Go and put up the pony," said Mrs. Failing rather sharply.

"Agnes, give me some tea."

"It is rather strong," said Agnes as the