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rstand； and even to himself the mystery was still unsolved。 He had acted according to the law of his own nature； this was all that was clear to him； and the destiny of character had controlled him from the beginning。 The wheel had turned and he with it； and being as blind as fate itself he could see nothing further。
Back once more in the familiar country； fresh from the strong grasp of friendly hands； and driving at sunset along the red road beneath half…bared honey…locusts； he was conscious； with a dull throb of regret； that the placid contentment he felt creeping over him failed in emotional resemblance to the happiness he had associated with his return。 Had the sap really gone dry within him； and would he go on forever with this curious numbness at his heart？
〃Maria wanted you to go straight to the Hall；〃 said Cynthia； turning suddenly； 〃but I told her I'd better take you home and put you to bed at once。 It was she who went to the Governor and got your pardon；〃 she added after a moment； 〃but when I begged her to come with me to take it to you she would not do it。 She would not see you until you were back in your own place； she said。〃
He smiled faintly； and； leaning back among the rugs Cynthia had brought； watched the white mist creeping over the ploughed fields。 The thought of Maria no longer stirred his pulses； and when presently they reached the whitewashed cottage； and he sat with Tucker before the wood fire in his mother's parlour； he found himself gazing with a dull impersonal curiosity at the portraits smiling so coldly down upon the hearth。 The memory of his mother left him as immovable as did the many trivial associations which thronged through his brain at sight of the room which had been hers。 A little later； lying in her tester bed； the fall of the acorns on the shingled roof above sent him into a profound and untroubled sleep。
With the first sunlight he awoke； and； noiselessly slipping into his clothes； went out for a daylight view of the country which had dwelt for so long a happy vision in his thoughts。 The dew was thick on the grass； and； crossing to the old bench； he sat down in the pale sunshine beside the damask rosebush； on which a single flower blossomed out of season。 Beyond the cedars in the graveyard the sunrise flamed golden upon a violet background； and across the field of lifeeverlasting there ran a sparkling path of fire。 The air was strong with autumn scents； and as he drank it in with deep drafts it seemed to him that he began to breathe anew the spirit of life。 With a single bound of the heart the sense of freedom came to him； and with it the happiness that he had missed the evening before pulsed through his veins。 Much yet remained to himthe earth with its untold miracles； the sky with its infinity of space； his own souland Maria！
With her name he sprang to his feet in the ardour of his impatience； and it was then that； looking up； he saw her coming to him across the sunbeams。
End