are here?'

'Who is the person?'

'Somebody down that way,' she said indefinitely. 'It is not very far
off. I am not afraid--I go out often by myself at night hereabout.'

He reassured her good-humouredly. 'If you really wish to go, my dear, of
course I don't object. I have no authority to do that till tomorrow, and
you know that if I had it I shouldn't use it.'

'O but you have! Mother being an invalid, you are in her place, apart
from--to-morrow.'

'Nonsense, darling. Run across to your friend's house by all means if
you want to.'

'And you'll be here when I come in?'

'No, I am going down to the inn to see if my things are brought up.'

'But hasn't mother asked you to stay here? The spare room was got ready
for you.... Dear me, I am afraid I ought to have told you.'

'She did ask me. But I have some things coming, directed to the inn,
and I had better be there. So I'll wish you good-night, though it is not
late. I will come in quite early to-morrow, to inquire how your mother
is going on, and to wish you good-morning. You will be back again
quickly this evening?'

'O yes.'

'And I needn't go with you for company?'

'O no, thank you. It is no distance.'

Pierston then departed, thinking how entirely her manner was that of one
to whom a question of doing anything was a question of permission and
not of judgment. He had no sooner gone than Avice took a parcel from
a cupboard, put on her hat and cloak, and following by the way he had
taken till she reached the entrance to Sylvania Castle, there stood
still. She could hear Pierston's footsteps passing down East Quarriers
to the inn; but she went no further in that direction. Turning into the
lane on the right, of which mention has so often been made, she went
quickly past the last cottage, and having entered the gorge beyond
she clambered into the ruin of the Red King's or Bow-and-Arrow Castle,
standing as a square black mass against the moonlit, indefinite sea.

3. VI. THE WELL-BELOVED IS--WHERE?

Mrs. Pierston passed a restless night, but this she let nobody know;
nor, what was painfully evident to herself, that her prostration was
increased by anxiety and suspense about the wedding on which she had too
much set her heart.

During the very brief space in which she dozed Avice came into her room.
As it was not infrequent for her daughter to look in upon her thus she
took little notice, merely saying to assure the girl: 'I am better,
dear. Don't