Maule's and Lady Bridget's TETE-TETE dinner was an embarrassed meal, with Kuppi and Maggie hovering about the table.

The man's eyes said more than his lips, and the woman sat, strained and silent, or else uttered forced commonplaces.
They were alone at last on the veranda, with night and the vast distances enfolding them.

The air was close and hot, the sky banked with storm clouds, and, occasionally, there were flashes of sheet lightning and low growls of thunder.

Before long the head-station was very quiet.

Harris had inspected the hide-house and, having assured himself of the safety of his prisoner, had retired to the veranda room, making a great parade of keeping his door open, his gun loaded, and his clothes on, ready for any emergency.