She stood and regarded them for some time, but neither moved.

It was in the twilight, and as it grew darker she could see Alister less and less clearly, but always Mary better and better--till at last the moon rose, and then she saw Alister again, and Mary no more.

But, through the moonlight, three times she heard a little moan, half very glad, and half a little sad.
"Now the people had mostly a horror of Alister, and had shunned him--even those who did not believe him to blame for what he had done--because of his having killed a human being, one made like himself, and in the image of God; but when they heard the wise woman's story, they began to feel differently towards Alister, and to look askance upon Mary's father, whose unkindness had kept them asunder.

They said now it had all come through him, and that God had sent the wolf to fetch Mary, that he might give her and Alister to each other in spite of him--for God had many a way of doing a thing, every one better than another.
"But that did not help Alister to find the wolf.

The winter came, however, and that did help him, for the snow let him see the trail, and follow faster.