She went to the door and looked across the meadows.

The quiet summer beauty stole like a spell over her.
Suddenly, down in the meadows, Mrs.Thorne caught sight of a lady leading a little child by the hand.

She was followed by a young maid carrying another.

As the lady drew nearer, Mrs.Thorne stood transfixed and bewildered.

Could the summer sun or the flickering shade be mocking her?
Was she dreaming or awake?
Far off still, through the summer haze, she saw a white, wan face; dark eyes, shadowed and veiled, as though by long weeping; lips, once rosy and smiling, rigid and firm.