But a board creaked; she heard him move, and flinging away her fears, said: "It's me! Babs!" and dropped on her knees beside him.

If it had not been so pitch dark she could never have done that.

She tried at once to take his head into her arms, but could not see it, and succeeded indifferently.

She could but stroke his arm continually, wondering whether he would hate her ever afterwards, and blessing the darkness, which made it all seem as though it were not happening, yet so much more poignant than if it had happened.

Suddenly she felt him slip away from her, and getting up, stole out.