in my clasp, I thought; young, too, were its
luxuriance and shining color. Nonsense, indeed, to fancy ghostliness
here or the passing of musty centuries over the head that had worn this
tress! A flood of reassurance rose high in me. Whatever the Thing might
be, I would trust the girl Desire Michell. Yes, and for her I would
stand fast at that Barrier until victory declared for the enemy or for
me. Until It passed me, It should not reach her.

I went downstairs to join Vere. The brightening mist was cool and fresh.
There was neither horror nor defeat in the promise of the morning.

CHAPTER XII

"In vain I called on Rest to come and stay.
We were but seated at the festival
Of many covers, when One cried: 'Away!'"
--ROSE GARDEN OF SA'ADI.

Now I entered a time of experiences differing at every point, yet
interwoven closely, so that my days might compare to a rope whose
strands are of violently contrasted colors. The rope would be
inharmonious, startling to the eye, but strong to bind and hold. As I
was bound and held!

All day I lived in the wholesome household atmosphere evoked by Vere and
Phillida. It is impossible to describe the sunny charm they created
about the commonplace. Our gay, simple breakfasts where Phillida
presided in crisp middy blouse or flowered smock; where the gray cat sat
on the arm of Vere's chair, speculative yellow eye observant of his
master's carving, while the Swedish Cristina served us her good food
with the spice of an occasional comment on farm or neighborhood
events--how perfect a beginning for the day! How stale beside our
breeze-swept table was any board at which I had ever sat! I do declare
that I have never seen a more winning face than the bright one of my
little cousin whom her world had pronounced "plain." Vere and I basked
in her sunbeams gratefully.

Afterward, we each had our work. Of the three, Vere was the most
industrious; slow, steady and unsparing of himself to a degree that
accomplished surprising results. Phillida flitted over the place indoors
and out, managing the house, following Vere about, driving to village or
town with me on purchasing trips for our supplies. I did rather more of
my own work than usual, that summer, and consequently had more of the
commercial side to employ me.

A healthy, normal life? Yes--until the hours between midnight and dawn.

I never knew when I laid down at night whether I should slee