town, towards where the lamps threaded singly, at long intervals down the dark high-road of the valley. They came at length to the gate of the drive.

‘Don’t come any further,’ she said.

‘You’d rather I didn’t?’ he asked, relieved. He did not want to go up the public streets with her, his soul all naked and alight as it was.

‘Much rather — good-night.’ She held out her hand. He grasped it, then touched the perilous, potent fingers with his lips.

‘Good-night,’ he said. ‘Tomorrow.’

And they parted. He went home full of the strength and the power of living desire.