A clear masculine voice said, at the same instant-- ‘Are you afraid?’ She, interpreting his question by her feelings at the moment, assumed himself to be the object of fear, if any. ‘I don’t think I am,’ she stammered. He seemed to know that she thought in that sense. ‘Of the thunder, I mean,’ he said; ‘not of myself.’ She must turn to him now. ‘I think it is going to rain,’ she remarked for the sake of saying something. He could not conceal his surprise and admiration of her face and bearing. He said courteously, ‘It may possibly not rain before you reach the House, if you are going there?’ ‘Yes, I am,’ ‘May I walk up with you? It is lonely under the trees.’ ‘No.’ Fearing his courtesy arose from a belief that he was addressing a woman of higher station than was hers, she added, ‘I am Miss Aldclyffe’s companion. I don’t mind the loneliness.’ ‘O, Miss Aldclyffe’s companion. Then will you be kind enough to take a subscription to her? She sent to me this afternoon to ask me to become a subscriber to her Society, and I was out. Of course I’ll subscribe if she wishes it. I take a great interest in the Society.’ ‘Miss Aldclyffe will be glad to hear that, I know.’ ‘Yes; let me see--what Society did she say it was? I am afraid I haven’t enough money in my pocket, and yet it would be a satisfaction to her to have practical proof of my willingness. I’ll get it, and be out in one minute.’ He entered the house and was at her side again within the time he had named. ‘This is it,’ he said pleasantly. She held up her hand. The soft tips of his fingers brushed the palm of her glove as he placed the money within it. She wondered why his fingers should have touched her. ‘I think after all,’ he continued, ‘that the rain is upon us, and will drench you before you reach the House. Yes: see there.’ He pointed to a round wet spot as large as a nasturtium leaf, which had suddenly appeared upon the white surface of the step. ‘You had better come into the porch. It is not nearly night yet. The clouds make it seem later than it really is.’ Heavy drops of rain, followed immediately by a forked flash of lightning and sharp rattling thunder compelled her, willingly or no, to accept his invitation. She ascended the steps, stood beside him just within the porch, and for the first time obtained a series of short views of his person, as they waited there in silence.