Miranda felt to-night how empty was this fancy. "You are going away," she said, "and you have never----" She stopped, frightened and ashamed. She wished to run from the place, and she was glad of the dark. The feeling passed, and she lifted her head, looking at Peter. Her eyes were full of challenge and of fear, of confession, of reserve--the courage of a maid--proud to be as yet untouched, but happy in surrender. "All that I have--and how beautiful it is!--is yours," was what Peter read. The tears rushed into her eyes. They both were crying as Peter kissed her. It was the first kiss of lovers two years old, the first delicate breach of their chastity. Miranda lifted her head upon Peter's arm. "I want to be with you always," she said. "I cannot bear you to go away." Footsteps intruded. Uncle Henry had come, God-speeding his nephew. Peter had been missed, and Uncle Henry was coming to find him. Peter felt as if the world were advancing to rob him of something too precious to be lawfully his. He wanted to save Miranda from this intrusion. "Good-bye, darling!" he whispered. She understood. "Hold me near to you, Peter," she said. They kissed a second time, lingering on the peril of discovery. She ran lightly away as Uncle Henry parted the bushes and thrust his great head towards the seat. "Hullo, Peter, my boy, is that you?" "Yes, Uncle." "I thought I would look round to wish you luck." "Thank you, Uncle." "Somebody did not want to see me," said Uncle Henry, crossly following Miranda with his eyes. Peter flashed an indignant look upon his uncle. He could not tell him why Miranda had gone away; how she was too precious to suffer the contact of dull earth. They walked into the house. For Peter the rest of the evening passed in a dream. He made his plans for an early breakfast, received the last advice as to his trains and the disposition of his money, and went as soon as possible to his bedroom under the eaves. VII Miranda was at the window as Peter drove off next morning in a hansom-cab. The sun was shining, the earth green after rain. Peter was starting on his first unaccompanied journey in his first hansom-cab, and he was unable to feel as miserable as he should. Miranda gave him a smile that struggled to be free of sadness at losing him for four days, and of envy at his adventure. Peter knew how she felt, and he was angry with himself for being happy. The miles flew quickly by. Peter soon began to wonder in pleasant excitement what Oxford was like.