Літо
XIV
HehadbicycledtoHamblin,insteadofdrivingtherewithhiscousinandherfriends,sothathemightbeabletomakehisescapeearlierandstoponthewaybackatthedesertedhouse,whichwasontheroadtoHamblin.Theyhadsmiledtogetheratthejokeofhearingthecrowdedbuck-boardsrollbyonthereturn,whiletheylaycloseintheirhidingabovetheroad.Suchchildishtriumphsstillgaveherasenseofrecklesssecurity.
NeverthelessshehadnotwhollyforgottenthevisionoffearthathadopenedbeforeherintheTownHall.ThesenseoflastingnesswasgonefromherandeverymomentwithHarneywouldnowberingedwithdoubt.
TheMountainwasturningpurpleagainstafierysunsetfromwhichitseemedtobedividedbyaknife-edgeofquiveringlight;andabovethiswallofflamethewholeskywasapurepalegreen,likesomecoldmountainlakeinshadow.Charitylaygazingupatit,andwatchingforthefirstwhitestar....
Hereyeswerestillfixedontheupperreachesoftheskywhenshebecameawarethatashadowhadflittedacrosstheglory-floodedroom:itmusthavebeenHarneypassingthewindowagainstthesunset....Shehalfraisedherself,andthendroppedbackonherfoldedarms.Thecombshadslippedfromherhair,andittrailedinaroughdarkropeacrossherbreast.Shelayquitestill,asleepysmileonherlips,herindolentlidshalfshut.Therewasafumblingatthepadlockandshecalledout:“Haveyouslippedthechain?”Thedooropened,andMr.Royallwalkedintotheroom.
Shestartedup,sittingbackagainstthecushions,andtheylookedateachotherwithoutspeaking.ThenMr.
