band of pale-saffron
glimmered under heavy clouds in the West. Moisture dripped from the
motionless branches and the air was hot. The lamps had just been lighted
in the house and a yellow glow streamed out.

"I've stayed longer than I meant and forgot my lamp," Festing remarked.
"However, this has happened before, and I hope I haven't stayed longer
than I ought."

"We will let you go now," said Helen. "For one thing, I must get up
early."

"Eight o'clock?" Festing suggested.

"No," said Helen, smiling. "I am always up before, but it will be six
o'clock to-morrow. I want to gather some mushrooms; they ought to be
plentiful after a day like this."

"Is six o'clock a particularly suitable time?"

"Five o'clock might be better. If you don't go early, you often find
that somebody has been round the fields first."

Festing asked where she expected to find the mushrooms, and when she
told him said, "Very well; I'll meet you. It only means half an hour's
journey on your fine English road; that is, if the bicycle holds up."

"But why do you want to gather mushrooms?"

"I don't want to gather mushrooms. I really want to see you where I
think you belong."

"In the fields?" Helen suggested humorously.

"No," said Festing. "I don't mean in the fields. I've seen you in the
afternoon when the sun's on the ripening corn and the leaves are dark
and thick, but they stand for fulfilment, and that's not your proper
setting. Once or twice I've stopped until evening, but you don't belong
to the dusk."

"Then where do I belong?"

"To the sunrise, when the earth is fresh and the day is getting bright.
Promise is your sign; fulfilment hasn't come."

Helen colored, and as she turned her head it struck her as portentous
that she glanced towards the saffron streak that glimmered in the West.
When she looked back, however, her face was calm.

"Ah!" she said, "I wonder how and where the fulfilment will come!
Sometimes I think of it and feel afraid; my life has been so smooth."

"You won't flinch if you have to bear some strain."

Helen gave him her hand. "Well, you must go now. I will expect you
to-morrow."

She stood looking towards the fading light for some time after his
figure melted into the shadows on the drive. Her heart beat and she felt
a thrill, for she admitted that the man had power to move her. As yet
she would not ask herself how far his power went, but she knew the
question must be answered soon. Other men had