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withdrawn, as if the treatment had been unexpected.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

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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.




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