As he moved almost on tip-toe through Mary's garden, now all fragrant with golden wall-flowers, lilac, and mayblossom, he paused a moment,--looking up at the picturesque gabled eaves and latticed windows.

A sudden sense of loneliness affected him almost to tears.

For now he had not even the little dog Charlie with him to console him--that canine friend slept in a cushioned basket in Mary's room, and was therefore all unaware that his master was leaving him.
"But, please God, I shall come back in a day or two!" he murmured.

" Please God, I shall see this dear shrine of peace and love again before I die! Meanwhile--good-bye, Mary! Good-bye, dearest and kindest of women! God bless you!" He turned away with an effort--and, lifting the latch of the garden gate, opened it and closed it softly behind him.

Then he began the ascent of the coombe.