hape.

Mr. Carlyon was seldom absent from his house during this period, only
twice a year, when he spent a fortnight in London in June, and another
week in November with his brother, a squire of some note in the Cornish
world. Halcyone made green his old age with the exquisite quality of her
opening mind. And deep down in her heart there always dwelt the image of
John Derringham, and whatever new hero she read about, he unconsciously
assumed some of his features or mien. She passed through enthusiasms for
all periods, and for quite six months was under the complete spell of
the "Morte d'Arthur" and the adventures of the knights contained
therein. She read voraciously and systematically, but her first love for
all things Greek regained its hold and undoubtedly colored her whole
view of life.

Her education was exotic and might have ruined a brain of lesser fiber.
But for her it seemed to bring forth all that was clear and fine and
polish it with a diamond luster. Twice a week alternately the French and
German master from the Applewood Grammar School came to her, and she
also learned to read music from the organist at the church, and then
played to herself with no technique but much taste.

And of all her masters, Nature and the fearless study of her night moods
molded her soul the most.

For the first few months after John Derringham's visit Mr. Carlyon often
spoke of him and read aloud bits of his letters, and Halcyone listened
with rapt attention, but she never embarked upon the subject
herself--and then the Professor had an accident to his knee which kept
him a prisoner for months. And somehow the interest of this seemed to
dwarf less present things, and as time went on, John Derringham grew to
be mentioned only by fits and starts, when his rapidly rising political
career called forth cynical grunts of admiration from his old master.
There had been a dissolution of Parliament and a short term of office
for the other side, and then at the General Election John Derringham's
Chief had come in again stronger than ever, and he himself had been made
Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. It was a tremendous rise
for one so young. He was at that time not more than twenty-nine years
old--but two years before this happened, when Halcyone was about
fifteen, he came again to the orchard house for a short Saturday to
Monday visit.

From the moment that she knew he was coming a strange stillness seemed
to fall upon th