The sun set, and the dusk deepened; the air was loud with birds; there were shouts of children in the distance; gradually these died away, and the stars came out.

The wind was damp and sweet; over in the field pale shapes of mist wavered and changed like phantoms.

A woman came running noiselessly into the yard, and pressed against the door panting, and knocked.

Barney saw the swirl of light skirts around the corner; then the knock came.
[Illustration: "Barney sat staring at vacancy"] He got up, trembling, and opened the door, and stood there looking at the woman, who held her hooded head down.
"It's me, Barney," said Charlotte's voice.
"Come in," said Barney, and he moved aside.
But Charlotte stood still.

"I can say what I want to here," she whispered, panting.