She waited, watching his every movement. She wanted it to be over, it was a great nervous strain on her.

He stood up — she unbolted the back door, and looked out. A cold, raw night, not yet dawn, with a piece of a moon in the vague sky. She was glad she need not go out.

‘Good-bye then,’ he murmured.

‘I’ll come to the gate,’ she said.

And again she hurried on in front, to warn him of the steps. And at the gate, once more she stood on the step whilst he stood below her.

‘Good-bye,’ she whispered.

He kissed her dutifully, and turned away.

She suffered torments hearing his