alone!Thecontiguousforestcouldnotbeboltedout,andtheIndianwifeheardall.Recognizingthesituationwithaboriginaldirectnessofpurpose,shecommittedsuicideinthefondbeliefthatitwouldreunitethesurvivors.Butinvain;thecousinspartedonthespottomeetnomore.
EvenMrs.Ashwood\'spredilectionfortheyouthfulwritercouldnotoverlookthefactthatthedenouementwasbynomeansnovelnorthesituationhuman,butyetitwasherethatshewasmostinterestedandfascinated.ThedescriptionoftheforestwasadescriptionofthewoodwhereshehadfirstmetHarcourt;thecharmofitreturned,untilshealmostseemedtoagaininhaleitsbalsamicfreshnessinthepagesbeforeher.Now,asthen,heryouthcamebackwiththesamelongingandregret.Butmorebewilderingthanall,itwasherselfthatmovedthere,paintedwiththelovinghandofthenarrator.Forthefirsttimesheexperiencedthedeliciousflatteryofseeingherselfasonlyalovercouldseeher.Thesmallestdetailofhercostumewassuggestedwithanaccuracythatpleasantlythrilledherfemininesense.Thegraceofherfigureslowlymovingthroughtheshadow,thecurvesofherarmandthedelicacyofherhandthatheldthebridlerein,thegentleglowofhersoftlyroundedcheek,thesweetmysteryofherveiledeyesandforehead,andtheescapinggoldofherlovelyhairbeneathherhatwereallinturnmasterfullytouchedortenderlysuggested.Andwhentothiswasaddedthefaintperfumeofhernearerpresence——
thescentshealwaysused——thedelicaterevelationsofherwithdrawngauntlet,thebraceletclaspingherwhitewrist,andatlastthethrillingcontactofhersofthandonhisarm,——sheputdownthemanuscriptandblushedlikeaverygirl.Thenshestarted.
Ashout!——HISvoicesurely!——andthesoundofoarsintheirrowlocks.
Aninstantrevulsionoffeelingovertookher.Withaquickmovementsheinstantlyhidthemanuscriptbeneathhercloakandstooduperectandindignant.Nottwentyyardsaway,apparentlyadvancingfromtheoppositeshoreofthebay,wasaboat.ItcontainedonlyJohnMilton,restingonhisoarsandscanningthegroupofrocksanxiously.Hisface,whichwasquitestrainedwithanxiety,suddenlyflushedwhenhesawher,andthenrecognizingtheunmistakablesignificanceofherlookandattitude,paledoncemore.Hebentoverhisoarsagain;afewstrokesbroughthimclosetotherock.