II

           ThehoursoftheHatchardMemoriallibrarianwerefromthreetofive;andCharityRoyall’ssenseofdutyusuallykeptheratherdeskuntilnearlyhalf-pastfour.

           ButshehadneverperceivedthatanypracticaladvantagetherebyaccruedeithertoNorthDormerortoherself;andshehadnoscrupleindecreeing,whenitsuitedher,thatthelibraryshouldcloseanhourearlier.AfewminutesafterMr.Harney’sdeparturesheformedthisdecision,putawayherlace,fastenedtheshutters,andturnedthekeyinthedoorofthetempleofknowledge.

           Thestreetuponwhichsheemergedwasstillempty:andafterglancingupanddownitshebegantowalktowardherhouse.Butinsteadofenteringshepassedon,turnedintoafield-pathandmountedtoapastureonthehillside.Sheletdownthebarsofthegate,followedatrailalongthecrumblingwallofthepasture,andwalkedontillshereachedaknollwhereaclumpoflarchesshookouttheirfreshtasselstothewind.Thereshelaydownontheslope,tossedoffherhatandhidherfaceinthegrass.

           Shewasblindandinsensibletomanythings,anddimlyknewit;buttoallthatwaslightandair,perfumeandcolour,everydropofbloodinherresponded.Shelovedtheroughnessofthedrymountaingrassunderherpalms,thesmellofthethymeintowhichshecrushedherface,thefingeringofthewindinherhairandthroughhercottonblouse,andthecreakofthelarchesastheyswayedtoit.

           Sheoftenclimbedupthehillandlaytherealoneforthemerepleasureoffeelingthewindandofrubbinghercheeksinthegrass.