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withdrawn, as if the treatment had been unexpected.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.' 'Don't criticize me for coming alone,' she exclaimed with sensitive promptness. 'There are social reasons for what I do of which you know
nothing.' 'Perhaps it is much to my discredit that I don't know.' 'Not at all. You are all the better for it. Heaven forbid that I should enlighten you. Well, I see this is the hut. But I am more curious to go
to the top of the tower, and make discoveries.' He brought a little lantern from the cabin, and lighted her up the winding staircase to the temple of that sublime mystery on whose
threshold he stood as priest.