nice friendly folk in the hut, and their young daughter with her fresh
face, queer little black cloth sailor hat with long ribbons, velvet
bodice, and perfect simple manners; or the sight of the little
silvery-dun cows, thrusting their broad black noses against her hand?
What was it that had taken away from him all his restless feeling, made
him happy and content?... He did not know that the newest thing always
fascinates the puppy in its gambols! ... He sat a long while after
lunch, trying to draw the little cows, watching the sun on the cheek of
that pretty maiden, trying to talk to her in German. And when at last he
said: "Adieu!" and she murmured "Kuss die Hand. Adieu!" there was quite
a little pang in his heart.... Wonderful and queer is the heart of
a man!... For all that, as he neared home he hastened, till he was
actually running. Why had he stayed so long up there? She would be
back--she would expect to see him; and that young beast of a violinist
would be with her, perhaps, instead! He reached the hotel just in time
to rush up and dress, and rush down to dinner. Ah! They were tired, no
doubt--were resting in their rooms. He sat through dinner as best he
could; got away before dessert, and flew upstairs. For a minute he stood
there doubtful; on which door should he knock? Then timidly he tapped
on hers. No answer! He knocked loud on his tutor's door. No answer! They
were not back, then. Not back? What could that mean? Or could it be
that they were both asleep? Once more he knocked on her door; then
desperately turned the handle, and took a flying glance. Empty, tidy,
untouched! Not back! He turned and ran downstairs again. All the guests
were streaming out from dinner, and he became entangled with a group of
'English Grundys' discussing a climbing accident which had occurred in
Switzerland. He listened, feeling suddenly quite sick. One of them, the
short grey-bearded Grundy with the rather whispering voice, said to him:
"All alone again to-night? The Stormers not back?" Lennan did his best
to answer, but something had closed his throat; he could only shake his