hat, caught up her gloves,
and, almost before she knew what she was doing, was walking quickly
towards the station. She had a little under twenty minutes in which to
walk a good mile. Her one concern was to meet, say something (she knew
not what) to Perigal before he left Melkbridge for good. She arrived
breathless at the station five minutes before his train started. He was
not in the booking office, and she could see nothing of him on the
platform. She was beginning to regret her precipitancy, when she saw
him walking down the road to the station, carrying a much worn leather
brief bag. Her heart beat as she went out to meet him.

"Little Mavis!" he cried.

"Good morning."

"What are you doing here at this time?"

"I came out for a walk."

"To see me off?"

"Perhaps."

"Well, I will say this, you will bear looking at in the morning."

"Why, who won't?"

"Lots of 'em."

"How do you know?"

"Eh! But we can't talk here. It will be all over the town that we
were--were--"

"Going to elope!" she interrupted.

"I wish we were. But, seriously, you got my letter?"

"It's really why I came."

"What?" he asked, astonished.

"It's really why I came."

"What have you to say to me?"

"I don't know."

"Don't you want me to go to Wales?"

"I don't know."

"I must decide soon. Here's the train."

They mechanically turned towards the platform.

"Must you go?" she impulsively asked.

"I could either chuck it or I could put it off till tomorrow."

"Why not do that?"

"But would you see me again?"

"Yes."

"And will you decide then?"

"Perhaps."

"Then I'll see you tonight," he said, as he raised his hat, as if
wishing her to leave him.

Mavis bit her lip as she turned to leave Perigal.

"Goodbye till tonight, little Mavis!"

"Goodbye," she called back curtly.

"One moment," he cried.

She paused.

He went on:

"It was charming of you to come. It's like everything to do with
you--beautiful."

"There's still time for you to get your train," she said, feeling
somewhat mollified by his last words.

"And miss seeing you tonight!" he replied.

Mavis walked to the factory wondering how many people had seen her
talking to Perigal. During her morning's work, her mind was in a
turmoil of doubt as to the advisability of meeting Perigal in the
evening. She could not help believing that, should she see him, as was
more or less arranged, it would prove an event of much moment in her
life, ho