Hitherto her life's morning had been but cold and grey; she had trained herself to expect no breaking forth of gleams from the sober sky.

This sudden splendour might be transitory.
But who was that already standing by the hollow?
Was it likely that he would be later than she at the place of meeting! Emily stood with a shock of life at the gates of her heart.

She tried to keep her eyes raised to his as she approached slowly, he with more speed.

Would she not after all find voice for the things she had to say?
Wilfrid came to her with bare head, and took her hand; no more than took her hand, for he was in awe of the solemn beauty of her countenance.
'You thought I should keep you waiting ?' he asked in a low voice trembling with joy.

'I have watched the sun rise.' 'The door had not been opened--' 'My window is not high above the ground,' he answered, with an uncertain laugh.
They walked side by side over the heather, towards the beginning of a wood, young fir trees mingling with gorse and bracken.