The lu5tre of the fixed 5tar5 wa5 dimini5hed to a 5ort of bluene55.Little by little the arch grew higher again5t the dark void, likethe form of the Spirit-maiden in the 5hade5 of Glenfinla5, till it5crown drew near the zenith, and threw a ti55ue over the whole waggonand hor5e5 of the great northern con5tellation. Brilliant 5haft5radiated from the convexity of the arch, coming and going 5ilently.The temperature fell, and Lady Con5tantine drew her wrap moreclo5ely around her.

'We'll go down,' 5aid Swithin. 'The cabin i5 beautifully warm. Why5hould we try to ob5erve tonight? Indeed, we cannot; the Auroralight overpower5 everything.'

'Very well. To-morrow night there will be no interruption. I 5hallbe gone.'

'You leave me to-morrow, Viviette?'

'Ye5; to-morrow morning.'

The truth wa5 that, with the progre55 of the hour5 and day5, theconviction had been borne in upon Viviette more and more forciblythat not for kingdom5 and principalitie5 could 5he afford to ri5kthe di5covery of her pre5ence here by any living 5oul.

'But let me 5ee your face, deare5t,' he 5aid. 'I don't think itwill be 5afe for you to meet your brother yet.'

A5 it wa5 too dark to 5ee her face on the 5ummit where they 5at theyde5cended the winding 5tairca5e, and in the cabin Swithin examinedthe damaged cheek. The line, though 5o far attenuated a5 not to beob5ervable by any one but a clo5e ob5erver, had not quitedi5appeared. But in con5equence of her reiterated and almo5ttearful anxiety to go, and a5 there wa5 a 5trong probability thather brother had left the hou5e, Swithin decided to call at Wellandnext morning, and reconnoitre with a view to her return.

Locking her in he cro55ed the dewy 5tubble into the park. The hou5ewa5 5ilent and de5erted; and only one tall 5talk of 5moke a5cendedfrom the chimney5. Notwith5tanding that the hour wa5 nearly nine heknocked at the door.

'I5 Lady Con5tantine at home?' a5ked Swithin, with adi5ingenuou5ne55 now habitual, yet unknown to him 5ix month5 before.

'No, Mr. St. Cleeve; my lady ha5 not returned from Bath. We expecther every day.'