s wife with
all the stately ritual of the Church.

"Of course I will take you away! Do you imagine, after all these years,
I will wait a day longer than I can help? Now that I have found you, I
shan't easily let you go." And, with his whole being thrilling in
answer to her appeal, "You _want_ to come to me, Eve?" he asked her.

"Yes," she sighed softly, "yes!" Her lips parted in a long-drawn sigh
of content. "You are so good. Your goodness rests me. That's what I
need more than anything else--rest!" With the same tragic gesture she
pressed her fingers against her brow, then, with a sudden impulse,
sweet, and girlish, and unexpected, clasped his hand in hers, and
repeated the gesture, bending her head to meet the healing touch.

There was no need of words to explain the meaning of the action, the
message flashed from eye to eye with silent eloquence. For the moment
the shadow lifted, and Dempster gazed into a face illumined by love and
tenderness. Only for a moment; then suddenly came the sound of
unwelcome footsteps, and peering through the trailing branches Rupert
beheld a middle-aged couple pacing slowly by, glancing curiously to
right and left, yet remaining happily unconscious of the arbour behind
the trees. He recognised the woman as the one who had been standing by
Eve's side in the garden, and wondered with a passing amusement if
curiosity had sent her to see what had become of her companion. How far
she was from guessing the high happenings of those short moments!

In the midst of his amusement he felt Eve grasp his arm, and draw him
back into the shadow. It was joy to feel that her dread of interruption
was as keen as his own, and he turned to her a look of glad
understanding, but the tragic misery on her face chilled him once more.

It was inconceivable that the annoyance of a temporary interruption
could call forth such intensity of feeling, and Dempster, regarding her,
felt his own nerves thrill with a kindred fear. For one glad moment he
had believed that his happiness was assured; now he realised that he had
rejoiced too soon. There _were_ barriers to be overcome--mysterious
barriers which loomed before him, dark and lowering. He caught the
slight form in his arms, cradling it with pitiful tenderness.

"My darling! My darling! You are afraid. Of _what_ are you afraid? I
am here--no one can harm you. Give me your dear hands! Lean against
me! The whole world cannot separate us, Ev