And home they sped, hand in hand, silently. The little room when they re-entered it was bright with firelight, because kind Mrs. Weston had thought the flight chilly, and the white table laid out for them--its pretty china and simple fare--tempted and cheered them with its look of home. But Nelly lay on the sofa afterwards very pale, though smiling and talking as usual. And through the night she was haunted, sleeping and waking, by the image of the solitary boat rocking gently on the moonlit lake, the water lapping its sides. She saw herself and George adrift in it--sailing into--disappearing in--that radiance of silver light. Sleepily she hoped that Sir William Farrell would not forget his promise. CHAPTER III May I come in?' Nelly Sarratt, who was standing beside the table in the sitting-room, packing a small luncheon-basket with sandwiches and cake, looked up in astonishment. Then she went to the door which was slightly ajar, and opened it. She beheld a very tall man standing smiling on the threshold. 'I hope I'm not disturbing you, Mrs. Sarratt--but I was on my way for a day's sketching, and as my car passed your house, I thought I would like to bring you, myself, the permission which I spoke of on Saturday. I wrote yesterday, my friend was away from home but I got a telegram this morning.' The visitor held out a telegram, which Nelly took in some bewilderment. It fluttered her to be so much thought for by a stranger--and a stranger moreover who seemed but to wave his wand and things were done. But she thanked him heartily. 'Won't you come in, Sir William?' she asked him, shyly. 'My husband will be here directly.' It pleased him that she had found out who he was. He protested that he mustn't stay a moment, but all the same he came in, and stood with his hands in his pockets looking at the view. He seemed to Nelly to fill the little sitting-room. Not that he was stout. There was not an ounce of superfluous flesh on him anywhere. But he stood at least six foot four in his boots; his shoulders were broad in proportion; and his head, with its strong curly hair of a light golden brown, which was repeated in his short beard, carried itself with the unconscious ease of one who has never known anything but the upper seats of life. His features were handsome, except for a broad irregular mouth, and his blue eyes were kind and lazily humorous. 'There's nothing better than that lake,' he said, motioning towards it, with his hand, as though he followed the outlines of the hills. 'But I never try to draw it. I leave that to the fellows who think they can! I'm afraid your permit's only for a week, Mrs. Sarratt. The boat, I find, will be wanted after that.' 'Oh, but my husband will be gone in a week--less than a week. I couldn't row myself!' said Nelly, smiling. But Sir William thought the smile trembled a little, and he felt very sorry for the small, pretty creature. 'You will be staying on here after your husband goes?'