Elinor, who felt that the day in the woods was far more important than any business, hurried to get her hat and follow him to the door. It chanced to her to glance at the calendar as she passed hastily out to where he stood awaiting her in the porch. Why that should have happened to anyone in the Cottage twice in the twenty-four hours is a coincidence which I cannot explain, but so it was. Her eye caught the little white plaque in passing, and perceived with surprise that it had moved up two numbers, and that it was the figure 8 which was marked upon it now. "We cannot have slept through a day and night," she said, laughing as she joined him. "The calendar says the eighth September now." "But I arrived on the sixth," he said. "Mind that, Nell, whatever happens. You saw it with your own eyes. It may be of consequence to remember." "Of what consequence could it be?" said Elinor, wondering. "One can never tell. The only thing is I arrived on the sixth--that you know. And, Nell, my darling, supposing any fellow should inquire too closely into my movements, you'll back me up, won't you, and agree in everything I say?" "Who should inquire into your movements? There is no one here who would be so impertinent, Phil." "Oh," he said, "there is never any telling how impertinent people may be." "And what is there in your movements that any one dare inquire about? I hope you are not ashamed of coming to see me." "That is just what is the saving of me, Nell. I can't explain what I mean now, but I will later on. Only mind you don't contradict me if we should meet any inquisitive person. I arrived on the sixth, and you'll back me like my true love in everything I say." "As far as--as I know, Phil." "Oh, we must have no conditions. You must stand by me in everything I say." CHAPTER IX.