There were those who pronounced Eanswyth Carhayes to be the most beautiful woman they had ever beheld--who had started with amazement at such an apparition on an out-of-the-way Kaffrarian farm. A grand creature, they declared, but a trifle too cold. They would have marvelled that they had ever passed such a verdict could they but have seen her now, her splendid eyes burning into those of her lover in the starlight as she went on: "You are longing to ask what I am doing here in this place all alone and at such a time. This. I came here as to a sanctuary: a sacred spot which enshrined all the dearest memories of you. Here in silence and in solitude I could conjure up visions of you--could see you walking beside me as on that last day we spent together. Here I could kneel and kiss the floor, the very earth which your feet had trod; and--O Eustace, my very life, it was a riven and a shattered heart I offered up daily-- hourly--at the shrine of your dear memory." Her tones thrilled upon his ear. Never had life held such a delirious, intoxicating moment. To the cool, philosophical, strong-nerved man it seemed as if his very senses were slipping away from him under the thrilling love-tones of this stately, beautiful creature nestling within his arms. Again their lips met--met as they had met that first time-- met as if they were never again to part. "Inkose!" The sudden sonorous interruption caused Eanswyth to start as if she had been shot, and well it might. Her lover, however, had passed through too many strange and stirring experiences of late to be otherwise than slightly and momentarily disconcerted. A dark figure stood at the lowest step of the _stoep_, one hand raised in the air, after the dignified and graceful manner of native salutation. "Greeting, Josane," he replied. "Now do mine eyes behold a goodly sight," went on the old Kafir with animation, speaking in the pleasing figurative hyperbole of his race. "My father and friend is safe home once more. We have mourned him as dead and he is alive again. He has returned to gladden our hearts and delight our eyes. It is good--it is good." "How did you know I had returned, Josane?" Had there been light enough they would have detected the most whimsical smile come over the old Kafir's face as he replied: "Am I not the _Inkosikazi's_ watch-dog? What sort of a watch-dog is it that permits a footstep to approach from outside without his knowledge?" "You are, indeed, a man, Josane--a man among men, and trust to those who trust you," replied Eustace, in that tone of thorough friendship and regard which had enabled him to win so effectually the confidence of the natives. The old cattle-herd's face beamed with gratification, which, however, was quickly dashed with anxiety.