Retiring into shadow were the darker outlines of the surrounding circle of hills, rived by intervals of black night where wadies entered.

From their summits the flying arch of the heavens sprang, printed with a few faint stars, but all silvered with the flood-light of a moon cold and pure as the frost itself.

It was unsympathetic, aloof and wild--a cold place into which to bring broken hearts to assume banishment from the comfort and companionship of mankind.
Laodice slowly and with effort began to separate those belongings which were to be laid upon the fire from those which were too necessary to be burned.

The woman alighted but, on offering to assist, was warned away from the girl with a menacing gesture of Momus' great arm.

The stranger drew herself up suddenly with a wrath that she hardly controlled but came no nearer Laodice.