AUDR. I don't think I care much for my heavenly welfare just at this moment. You tumbled me off my pinnacle, and here I am stuck in the mud. (_Looking off at the open door._) Look! That boat is half-way to Saint Margaret's. MICH. Yes, they sleep there to-night. AUDR. What a queer-looking man your secretary is. Is he quite trustworthy? MICH. Quite. Why? AUDR. I caught him looking at you in a very strange way a week or two back. MICH. He's devoted to me. AUDR. I'm glad of that. How far is it to Saint Margaret's? MICH. Three miles. AUDR. Do you believe the legend about Saint Decuman and Saint Margaret? MICH. That they loved each other? AUDR. Yes, on separate islands, and never met. MICH. They denied themselves love here that they might gain heavenly happiness hereafter. AUDR. Now that their hearts have been dust all these hundreds of years, what good is it to them that they denied themselves love? MICH. You think---- AUDR. I think a little love on this earth is worth a good many paradises hereafter. It's a cold world, hereafter. It chills me to the bone when I think of it! (_Shivers a little and comes away from the door._) I'm getting a little cold. MICH. (_placing chair_). Sit by the fire. (_She sits near fire, which is blazing up; he goes and closes door._) AUDR. (_putting on some logs_). Do I know you well enough to make your fire for you? MICH. I hope so. (_She sits; he stands above her for some seconds, watching her keenly; a long pause._) AUDR. You were looking at me. What were you thinking of? MICH. I was wondering what memories are stored in that white forehead. AUDR. Memories? (_Long sigh._) A few bright ones, and many sad ones. MICH. Your past life was not happy? AUDR. (_a little shudder of recollection_). No. And yours? Tell me---- MICH. What? AUDR. Something about your past life, something you've never told to a living creature. MICH. When I was twenty---- AUDR. Stay--what were you like when you were twenty? (_Shuts her eyes, puts her hand over them._) Now I can see you when you were twenty. MICH. Is there anyone with me? AUDR. No, I can't see her. What was she like? Fair or dark? MICH. Fair, with changing grey eyes that could be serious or merry as she pleased, and fine clear features, and the sweetest provoking mouth---- AUDR. I hate her. Who was she? MICH. Miss Standerwick's niece. She stayed there all the summer that year. AUDR. Was that a happy summer? MICH. The happiest I have ever known--till this. AUDR. Ah! MICH. I used to go to evening church and follow them home, and wait outside till I could see the candle in her window. When it went out I used to walk home. AUDR. Across those fields where we walked the other night? MICH. Yes. AUDR. I'll never walk that way again. Go on.