The daylight was short, for the sun rose late behind the encircling mountains, and hastened to sink again below them.

But the place where he had first met Felicita was dear to him, though dark and gloomy with the cloudy days.

He hastened to the church where his eyes had fallen upon the young, silent, absorbed girl so many years ago; and here, where the sun was shining fitfully for a brief half hour, he paced up and down the aisles, wondering what the coming interview would bring.

Day after day he lingered there, with the loud chanting of the monks ringing in his ears, until the evening came when he said to himself, "To-morrow I shall see her once more.".