enty miles across
country. But that would not be yet. Guy and she would be married
first. There would be a little breathing-space at Ritzen before
she went into that new life that awaited her beyond the hills.
Somehow she felt as if those hills guarded her destiny. She did
not fear the future, but she looked forward to it with a certain
awe.

Paramount within her, was the desire for Guy, the sight of his
handsome, debonair countenance, the ring of his careless laugh. As
soon as she saw Guy she knew she would be at home, even in the land
of strangers, as she had never been at the Manor since the advent
of her father's second wife. She had no misgivings on that point,
or she had never come across the world to him thus, making all
return impossible. For there could be be no going back for her.
She had taken a definite and irrevocable step. There could be no
turning back upon this road that she had chosen.

It might not be an easy road. She was prepared for obstacles. But
with Guy she was ready to face anything. The adversity through
which she had come had made the thought of physical hardship of
very small account. And deep in her innermost soul she had a
strong, belief in her own ultimate welfare. She was sure that she
had done the right thing in thus striking out for herself, and she
was equally sure that, whatever it might entail, she would not
regret it in the end.

The lights were growing nearer. She discerned the brick building
of the station. Over the wide stretch of land that yet intervened
there came to her the smell of smoke and human habitation. A warm
thrill went through her. In two minutes now--in less--the long
five years' separation would be over, and she would be clasping
Guy's hand again.

She leaned from the window, scanning the few outstanding houses of
the town as the train ran past. Then they were in the station, and
a glare of light received them.

A crowd of unfamiliar faces swam before her eyes, and then--she saw
him. He stood on the platform awaiting her, distinct from all the
rest to her eager gaze--a man of medium height, broader than she
remembered, with a keen, bronzed face and eagle eyes that caught
and held her own.

She sprang form the train almost before it shopped. She held out
both her hands to him.

"Guy! Guy!"

Her voice came sobbingly. He gripped the hands hard and close.

"So you've got here!" he said.

She was staring at him, her face upraised. W