He only knew that here was that Other whose hand, pathetically sought, he had hitherto missed in the darkness of the foregone days.

Now, thought he, it was all happily concluded.

The quotient was no indefinite one; it had an end.

It ended here, upon the edge of the infinite which he had sought; upon the pinnacle of that universe of which he had learned; here, in this brilliant chamber of delight, this irradiant abode, this noble hall bedecked with gems and silks and stars and all the warp and woof of his many, many days of dreams! Mr.and Mrs.Buford had for the time excused themselves by reason of Mrs.Buford's weariness, and after the easy ways of that time and place the young people found themselves alone.

Thus it was that Mary Ellen, with a temporary feeling of helplessness, found herself face to face with the very man whom she at that time cared least to see..