The great moment of
life--grasped--captured at last! He in his turn understood the
Faust-cry--"Linger awhile!--thou art so fair!" Only let him pierce to
the heart of it--realize it, covetously, to the full! All the ordinary
worldly motives were placated and at rest; due sacrifice had been done
to them; they teased no more. Upgathered and rolled away, like
storm-winds from the sea, they had left a shining and a festal wave for
love to venture on. Let him only yield himself--feel the full swell of
the divine force!

He moved to the window, and looked out.

_Birch_!--What on earth brought that creature to Beechcote. His
astonishment was great, and perhaps in the depths of his mind there
emerged the half-amused perception of a feminine softness and tolerance
which masculine judgment must correct. She did not know how precious she
was; and that it must not be made too easy for the common world to
approach her. All that was picturesque and important, of course, in the
lower classes; labor men, Socialists, and the like. But not vulgar
half-baked fellows, who meant nothing politically, and must yet be
treated like gentlemen. Ah! There were the Roughsedges--the Captain not
gone yet?--Sir James and Mrs. Colwood--nice little creature, that
companion--they would find some use for her in the future. And on the
lower terrace, Alicia Drake, and--that girl? He laughed, amusing himself
with the thought of Alicia's plight. Alicia, the arrogant, the
fastidious! The odd thing was that she seemed to be absorbed in the
conversation that was going on. He saw her pause at the end of the
terrace, look round her, and deliberately lead the way down a long grass
path, away from the rest of the party. Was the cousin good company,
after all?

Diana returned. A broad black hat, and sables which had been her
father's last gift to her, provided the slight change in surroundings
which pleases the eye and sense of a lover. And as a man brought up in
wealth, and himself potentially rich, he found it secretly agreeable
that costly things became her. There should be no lack of them in
the future.

They stepped out upon the terrace. At sight of them the Roughsedges
approached, while Mr. Fred Birch lagged behind to inspect the sundial.
After a few words' conversation, Marsham turned resolutely away.

"Miss Mallory wants to show me a new gardener."

The old doctor smiled at his wife. Hugh Roughsedge watched the departing
figures. Excellently matched,