ire, the bed
laid invitingly open with a couple of books, and a reading-lamp on the
little table at the side, the faint smell of sandalwood; and before
the fire dozed a peaceful old lady full too of gentle expectation of
her son, yet knowing nothing whatever of the vague perils that were
about him, that had, indeed, whatever they were, already closed in on
him.... And that son was approaching nearer every instant through the
country lanes....

She rose at last and went on tiptoe to the window. The curtains had
not yet been drawn, and she could see in the fading light the
elaborate ironwork of the tall gate in the fence, and the common road
outside it, gleaming here and there in puddles that caught the green
color from the dying western sky. In front, on the lawn on this side,
burned tiny patches of white where the crocuses sprouted.

As she stood there, there came a sound of wheels, and a carriage came
in sight. It drew up at the gate, and the door opened.

II

"He is come," said the girl softly, as she saw the tall ulstered
figure appear from the carriage. There was no answer, and as she went
on tiptoe to the fire, she saw that the old lady was asleep. She went
noiselessly out of the room, and stood for an instant, every pulse
racing with horrible excitement, listening to the footsteps and voices
in the hall. Then she drew a long trembling breath, steadied herself
with a huge effort of the will, and went downstairs.

"Mr. Laurie's gone into the smoking-room, miss," said the servant,
looking at her oddly.

He was standing by the table as she went in; so much she could see:
but the candles were unlighted, and no more was visible of him than
his outline against the darkening window.

"Well, Laurie?" she said.

"Well, Maggie," said his voice in answer. And their hands met.

Then in an instant she knew that something was wrong. Yet at the
moment she had not an idea as to what it was that told her that. It
was Laurie's voice surely!

"You're all in the dark," she said.

There was no movement or word in answer. She passed her hand along the
mantelpiece for the matches she had seen there just before; but her
hand shook so much that some little metal ornament fell with a crash
as she fumbled there, and she drew a long almost vocal breath of
sudden nervous alarm. And still there was no movement in answer. Only
the tall figure stood watching her it seemed--a pale luminous patch
showing her his face.

Then she f