And in a few minutes more--or so it seemed, but meanwhile the dusk had come--there came another knock and she was told that dinner had been served.

But to that message again she returned no answer.

The noises of the busy day ceased in the fields, the birds were hushed upon the branches, quiet and darkness took and refreshed the world.

Only the throbbing music of the stream beat upon the ears, and beat with a louder significance, since all else was still.

Sylvia lay staring wide-eyed into the darkness.