Several times in that mile and a half she stepped
into a patch of brighter moonlight, to take out and kiss a little
photograph, then slip it back next her heart, heedless that so warm a
place must destroy any effigy. She felt not the faintest compunction
for the recklessness of her love--it was her only comfort against the
crushing loneliness of the night. It kept her up, made her walk on with
a sort of pride, as if she had got the best of Fate. He was hers for
ever now, in spite of anything that could be done. She did not even
think what she would say when she got in. She came to the avenue, and
passed up it still in a sort of dream. Her uncle was standing before the
porch; she could hear his mutterings. She moved out of the shadow of the
trees, went straight up to him, and, looking in his perturbed face, said
calmly:

"Cyril asked me to say good-bye to you all, Uncle. Good night!"

"But, I say, Nollie look here you!"

She had passed on. She went up to her room. There, by the door, her aunt
was standing, and would have kissed her. She drew back:

"No, Auntie. Not to-night!" And, slipping by, she locked her door.

Bob and Thirza Pierson, meeting in their own room, looked at each other
askance. Relief at their niece's safe return was confused by other
emotions. Bob Pierson expressed his first:

"Phew! I was beginning to think we should w have to drag the river. What
girls are coming to!"

"It's the war, Bob."

"I didn't like her face, old girl. I don't know what it was, but I
didn't like her face."

Neither did Thirza, but she would not admit it, and encourage Bob to
take it to heart. He took things so hardly, and with such a noise!

She only said: "Poor young things! I suppose it will be a relief to
Edward!"

"I love Nollie!" said Bob Pierson suddenly. "She's an affectionate
creature. D-nit, I'm sorry about this. It's not so bad for young
Morland; he's got the excitement--though I shouldn't like to be leaving
Nollie, if I were young again. Thank God, neither of our boys is
engaged. By George! when I think of them out there, and myself here, I
feel as if the top of my head would come off. And those politician chaps
spouting away in every country--how they can have the cheek!"

Thirza looked at him anxiously.

"And no dinner!" he said suddenly. "What d'you think they've been doing
with themselves?"

"Holding each other's hands, poor dears! D'you know what time it is,
Bob? Nearly one o'clock."

"Well,