who had entered the room
unobserved; her lips sought his.

"Ready, darling?" he asked.

"If you are."

She caught up her sunbonnet, which had been thrown on one side, to hand
it to him.

"You put it on me," she said.

When he had expended several unnecessary moments in adjusting the
bonnet, they made as if they would start.

"Got everything you want?" he asked, looking round the room.

"I think so. Take my sunshade."

"Right o'."

"My gloves."

"I've got 'em."

"My handkerchief."

"I've got it."

"Now kiss me."

His all too eager lips met on hers.

"Now we can start," she remarked.

She stood on the steps of the little hotel, while Perigal grasped a
luncheon basket.

"Quick march!" he cried.

"Wait one moment. I so love the sunlight," she replied.

"Little pagan!"

She stood silent, while the rays of the September sun warmly caressed
her face and neck.

She looked about her, to see that the sky was on all sides a faultless
blue, with every prospect of its continuance.

"One of the rare days I love," she murmured.

She shut her eyes to appreciate further the sun's warmth.

"If it were only like this all the year round," she thought.

"This is going to be all my day," she said to Perigal, who was
impatiently awaiting her. "I want to enjoy every moment of it for all I
am worth."

They turned to the left, walking up the road to the hamlet of
Crumplehorn; when they reached the mill, worked by the stream which
crosses the road, they turned sharp to the left and continued to
ascend. Their progress was accompanied by the music of moving water,
the singing of larks. When they emerged on the Fowey road, they caught
frequent glimpses of the sea, which they lost as they approached
Llansallas. Arrived at this tiny, forgotten village, there was not a
sign of the sea, although Perigal had been told at the inn that he
would find it here. He asked the way, to be directed to a corner of the
churchyard from which a track led to the shore. To their surprise, this
path proved to be a partially dry watercourse which, as it wound in a
downward direction, was presently quite shut in by an overgrowth of
bushes. Mavis, sorry to lose the sunlight, if only for a few minutes,
was yet pleased at exploring this mysterious waterway. Now and again,
where the water had collected in wide pools, she had, with Perigal's
assistance, to make use of stepping stones, to espy which was often
difficult. They picked their wa