om Kingsbridge. You and Ethne were walking across the
lawn when he landed from the creek. Ethne left you and went forward to
meet him. I saw them meet, because I happened to be looking out of this
window at the moment."

"Yes, Ethne went forward. There was a stranger whom she did not know. I
remember."

"They spoke for a few moments, and then Ethne led him towards the trees,
at once, without looking back--as though she had forgotten," said Mrs.
Adair. That little stab she had not been able to deny herself, but it
evoked no sign of pain.

"As though she had forgotten me, you mean," said Durrance, quietly
completing her sentence. "No doubt she had."

"They went together into the little enclosed garden on the bank," and
Durrance started as she spoke. "Yes, you followed them," continued Mrs.
Adair, curiously. She had been puzzled as to how Durrance had missed
them.

"They were there then," he said slowly, "on that seat, in the enclosure,
all the while."

Mrs. Adair waited for a more definite explanation of the mystery, but
she got none.

"Well?" he asked.

"They stayed there for a long while. You had gone home across the fields
before they came outside into the open. I was in the garden, and indeed
happened to be actually upon the bank."

"So you saw Captain Willoughby. Perhaps you spoke to him?"

"Yes. Ethne introduced him, but she would not let him stay. She hurried
him into his boat and back to Kingsbridge at once."

"Then how do you know Captain Willoughby brought good news of Harry
Feversham?"

"Ethne told me that they had been talking of him. Her manner and her
laugh showed me no less clearly that the news was good."

"Yes," said Durrance, and he nodded his head in assent. Captain
Willoughby's tidings had begotten that new pride and buoyancy in Ethne
which he had so readily taken to himself. Signs of the necessary
something more than friendship--so he had accounted them, and he was
right so far. But it was not he who had inspired them. His very
penetration and insight had led him astray. He was silent for a few
minutes, and Mrs. Adair searched his face in the moonlight for some
evidence that he resented Ethne's secrecy. But she searched in vain.

"And that is all?" said Durrance.

"Not quite. Captain Willoughby brought a token from Mr. Feversham. Ethne
carried it back to the house in her hand. Her eyes were upon it all the
way, her lips smiled at it. I do not think there is anything half so
precio