A few yards away a tiny waterfall came tumbling over the rocks into a deep pool.

They were hidden from the windows of the villa by the boughs of a drooping chestnut tree.

Bellamy stooped and kissed her upon the lips.
"Ours is a strange courtship, Louise," he whispered softly.
She took his hand in hers and smoothed it.

She had returned his kiss, but she drew a little further away from him.
"Ah! my dear friend," looking at him with sorrow in her eyes, "courtship is scarcely the word, is it?
For you and me there is nothing to hope for, nothing beyond." He leaned towards her.
"Never believe that," he begged.

"These days are dark enough, Heaven knows, yet the work of every one has its goal.