the passage and the treacherous morass of sand was left behind.

Then, with a deep breath, she stopped. "Now we are safe!"

"Weren't we safe before?" he asked carelessly.

Her eyes sought his; she gave a little shiver. "Oh, are we ever safe?"
she said. "Especially when we are happy? That quicksand makes one
think."

"Never spoil the present by thinking of the future!" said Knight
sententiously.

She took him seriously. "I don't. I want to keep the present just as it
is--just as it is. I would like to stay with you here for ever and ever,
but in another half-hour--in less--the tide will be racing over this
very spot, and we shall be gone." Her voice vibrated; she cast a glance
behind. "One false step," she said, "too sharp a turn, too wide a curve,
and we'd have been in the quicksand! It's like that all over. It's life,
and it's full of danger, whichever way we turn."

He looked at her curiously. "Why, what has come to you?" he said.

She caught her breath in a sound that was like a sob. "I don't know,"
she said. "It's being so madly happy that has frightened me. It can't
last. It never does last."

He smiled upon her philosophically. "Then let us make the most of it
while it does!" he said. "Tonight will pass, but--don't forget--there is
tomorrow."

She answered him feverishly. "The moon may not shine tomorrow."

He laughed, drawing her to him. "I can do without the moon, queen of my
heart."

She went into his arms, but she was trembling. "I feel--somehow--as if
someone were watching us," she whispered.

"Exactly my own idea," he said. "The moon is a bit too intrusive
tonight. I shan't weep if there are a few clouds tomorrow."

She laughed a little dubiously. "We couldn't cross the quicksand if the
light were bad."

"We could get down to the Point by the cliff-path," he pointed out. "I
went that way only this afternoon."

"Ah! But it is very steep, and it passes Rufus's cottage," she murmured.

"What of it?" he said indifferently. "I'm sure he sleeps like a log."

She turned from the subject. "Besides, you must have moonlight for your
picture. And the moon won't last."

"My picture!" He pressed her suddenly closer. "Do you know what my
picture is going to be?"

"Tell me!" she whispered.

"Shall I?" He turned gently her face up to his own. "Shall I? Dare I?"

She opened her eyes wide--those glorious, trusting eyes. "But why
should you be afraid to tell me?"

He laughed again softly, and kisse