I raised it to my lips and then attempted to draw her to me, but she slipped down and out of my arms to my feet.

I felt her there, on her knees, with head bowed low.

Stooping and putting my arm round her body, I drew her up and held her against my breast, and felt her heart throbbing wildly.

With many endearing words I begged her to speak to me; but her only reply was: "Come--come," as she slipped again out of my arms and, holding my hand in hers, guided me through the bushes.
Before long we came to an open path or glade, where the darkness was not profound; and releasing my hand, she began walking rapidly before me, always keeping at such a distance as just enabled me to distinguish her grey, shadowy figure, and with frequent doublings to follow the natural paths and openings which she knew so well.

In this way we kept on nearly to the end, without exchanging a word, and hearing no sound except the continuous rush of rain, which to our accustomed ears had ceased to have the effect of sound, and the various gurgling noises of innumerable runners.