antage, for to-day at
least. Do you mind walking fairly quickly? I shall feel more
comfortable when we are nearer home."

Margot was serenely indifferent whether it rained or not, but none the
less she appreciated the Editor's care for her welfare, which showed
itself in a dozen little graceful acts during the first part of their
walk. For one unaccustomed to women's society he was marvellously
observant, and Margot felt a sweeter satisfaction in being so protected
than in all her former independence. They climbed the hillside which
led to the moor and set out radiantly to traverse the grey expanse; grey
and cheerless to-day in very deed, with a thick, blanket-like dampness
in the atmosphere of which dwellers in southern climes are happily
ignorant.

George Elgood turned up the collar of his coat, and Margot thrust her
hands into her pockets, shivering slightly the while, but neither made
any complaint in words. As usual, it was left to Margot to do most of
the talking; but though her companion's responses were short, they were
yet so sympathetic and appreciative, that there was never any difficulty
in finding a fresh subject. Like most couples with whom friendship is
fast making way for a warmer emotion, personal topics were the most
appreciated, and what was happening in the world--the discoveries of
science, the works of the great writers--palled in interest before
sentences beginning with, "I think," and, "Do you think?"

"I wish--"

"Have you ever wished--?"

They looked at each other as they spoke, with bright, questioning
glances, which seemed ever to hail some precious new discovery of mind,
drawing them closer and closer together. The hour of enchantment had
come, when they moved in a world of their own, unconscious of external
accidents. The moisture hung in dewdrops on the Editor's cap, Margot's
hair curled damply on her forehead; but they felt neither cold nor
discomfort. It was unusually dark for the time of day, and had grown
mysteriously darker during the last half-hour; but visitors to the
Highlands become philosophically resigned to sudden and unpleasant
atmospheric changes, and fall into the way of ignoring them as far as
possible.

It was only when they reached a point in the moor from whence the ground
sloped sharply downward towards the Glen that they awoke to the
consciousness of danger, for instead of a rolling stretch of green
surrounded by purple hills, they seemed to be looking