the black
boat, when his attention was called by a clinking sound. Someone was
trying to open a wicket which opened from a by-road to the left of him.
He caught a glimpse of bright colour through the bars, and stepped
smartly forward. The wicket was easy to open from his side, and he soon
released the wayfarer from trouble. She took one slight pace back,
curtsied, and said, "Thank you, sir." It was not a very remarkable
speech, but coming upon Ellington's ear in his blank mood, it sounded
friendly and pleasant to a strange degree. He wanted to hear the voice
again. He rested for a brief space--not long enough to make the interval
seem awkward--and glanced swiftly at the girl whom he had aided. His
faculties did not rise readily into keenness after his recent hour of
lethargy, but he saw in an indefinite way that she was tall, and the
elastic pose of her figure as she prepared to pass by him gave him
somehow an impression of power. After an instant of hesitation he met
the clear look of a pair of brown eyes, and he felt that he must say
something. He fancied his slight pause had made him appear a trifle
clumsy, and he sought to effect a graceful parting. But, alas! for the
grace of solitary young men! The one right phrase, the one right
gesture would not come, and so, although his manner was sufficiently
easy at ordinary times, he could only say, "I'm very glad I happened to
be by." The girl was not sophisticated enough to regard him with
anything like humour. She smilingly accepted his remark as cogent, and
replied, "Yes. Old Trumbull has funny notions about fitting on latches,
hasn't he?" Here was a distinct opportunity for further pleasing
conversation, and the unfortunate Mr. Ellington was feeble. "Oh, you
know Trumbull?" he said, with alacrity. "He and I are great friends, but
I don't interfere with his professional matters. I'm afraid he would
discharge me if I did."

This was an unmistakably humorous allusion, and the girl once more
flashed her white teeth in a pretty smile. Such a reception of his not
very striking remarks put the young man at his ease, and he became
composed enough to observe delicately the face of his new acquaintance.
He had but little time, for of course he could not stand for long
babbling stupidities with a country girl. The face was strong and dark,
with composed, full lips, and a dusky glow in the cheeks. The eyes which
had at first put him to such confusion looked liquid and strangely