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frequently explored that spot in his Sandbourne days。 He perceived
now why she had selected that particular balcony for handing down
directions； it was the only one round the house that was low enough
to be reached from the outside； the basement here being a little way
sunk in the ground。
He went close under； turned his face outwards； and waited。 About a
foot over his head was the stone floor of the balcony； forming a
ceiling to his position。 At his back； two or three feet behind； was
a blank wallthe wall of the house。 In front of him was the misty
park； crowned by a sky sparkling with winter stars。 This was
abruptly cut off upward by the dark edge of the balcony which
overhung him。
It was as if some person within the room above had been awaiting his
approach。 He had scarcely found time to observe his situation when
a human hand and portion of a bare arm were thrust between the
balusters； descended a little way from the edge of the balcony； and
remained hanging across the starlit sky。 Something was between the
fingers。 Christopher lifted his hand； took the scrap； which was
paper； and the arm was withdrawn。 As it withdrew； a jewel on one of
the fingers sparkled in the rays of a large planet that rode in the
opposite sky。
Light steps retreated from the balcony； and a window closed。
Christopher had almost held his breath lest Ethelberta should
discover him at the critical moment to be other than Sol； and mar
her deliverance by her alarm。 The still silence was anything but
silence to him； he felt as if he were listening to the clanging
chorus of an oratorio。 And then he could fancy he heard words
between Ethelberta and the viscount within the room； they were
evidently at very close quarters； and dexterity must have been
required of her。 He went on tiptoe across the gravel to the grass；
and once on that he strode in the direction whence he had come。 By
the thick trunk of one of a group of aged trees he stopped to get a
light； just as the Court clock struck six in loud long tones。 The
transaction had been carried out； through her impatience possibly；
four or five minutes before the time appointed。
The note contained； in a shaken hand； in which； however； the well…
known characters were distinguishable； these words in pencil：
'At half…past seven o'clock。 Just outside the north lodge； don't
fail。'
This was the time she had suggested to Sol as that which would
probably best suit her escape； if she could escape at all。 She had
changed the place from the west to the north lodgenothing else。
The latter was certainly more secluded； though a trifle more remote
from the course of the proposed journey； there was just time enough
and none to spare for fetching the brougham from Little Enckworth to
the lodge； the village being two miles off。 The few minutes gained
by her readiness at the balcony were useful now。 He started at once
for the village； diverging somewhat to observe the spot appointed
for the meeting。 It was excellently chosen； the gate appeared to be
little used； the lane outside it was covered with trees； and all
around was silent as the grave。 After this hasty survey by the wan
starlight； he hastened on to Little Enckworth。
An hour and a quarter later a little brougham without lamps was
creeping along by the park wall towards this spot。 The leaves were
so thick upon the unfrequented road that the wheels could not be
heard； and the horse's pacing made scarcely more noise than a rabbit
would have done in limping along。 The vehicle progressed slowly；
for they were in good time。 About ten yards from the park entrance
it stopped； and Christopher stepped out。
'We may have to wait here ten minutes；' he said to the driver。 'And
then shall we be able to reach Anglebury in time for the up mail…
train to Southampton？'
'Half…past seven； half…past eight； half…past ninetwo hours。 O
yes； sir； easily。 A young lady in the case perhaps； sir？'
'Yes。'
'Well； I hope she'll be done honestly by； even if she is of humble
station。 'Tis best； and cheapest too； in the long run。' The
coachman was apparently imagining the dove about to flit away to be
one of the pretty maid…servants that abounded in Enckworth Court；
such escapades as these were not unfrequent among them； a fair face
having been deemed a sufficient recommendation to service in that
house； without too close an inquiry into character； since the death
of the first viscountess。
'Now then； silence； and listen for a footstep at the gate。'
Such calmness as there was in the musician's voice had been produced
by considerable effort。 For his heart had begun to beat fast and
loud as he strained his attentive ear to catch the footfall of a
woman who could only be his illegally。
The obscurity was as great as a starry sky would permit it to be。
Beneath the trees where the carriage stood the darkness was total。
47。 ENCKWORTH AND ITS PRECINCTS … MELCHESTER
To be wise after the event is often to act foolishly with regard to
it； and to preserve the illusion which has led to the event would
frequently be a course that omniscience itself could not find fault
with。 Reaction with Ethelberta was complete； and the more violent
in that it threatened to be useless。 Sol's bitter chiding had been
the first thing to discompose her fortitude。 It reduced her to a
consciousness that she had allowed herself to be coerced in her
instincts； and yet had not triumphed in her duty。 She might have
pleased her family better by pleasing her tastes； and have entirely
avoided the grim irony of the situation disclosed later in the day。
After the second interview with Sol she was to some extent composed
in mind by being able to nurse a definite intention。 As momentum
causes the narrowest wheel to stand upright； a scheme； fairly
imbibed； will give the weakest some power to maintain a position
stoically。
In the temporary absence of Lord Mountclere； about six o'clock； she
slipped out upon the balcony and handed down a note。 To her relief；
a hand received it instantly。
The hour and a half wanting to half…past seven she passed with great
effort。 The main part of the time was occupied by dinner； during
which she attempted to devise some scheme for leaving him without
suspicion just before the appointed moment。
Happily； and as if by a Providence； there was no necessity for any
such thing。
A little while before the half…hour； when she moved to rise from
dinner； he also arose； tenderly begging her to excuse him for a few
minutes； that he might go and write an important note to his lawyer；
until that moment forgotten； though the postman was nearly due。 She
heard him retire along the corridor and shut himself into his study；
his promised time of return being a quarter of an hour thence。
Five minutes after that memorable parting Ethelberta came from the
little door by the bush of yew； well and thickly wrapped up from
head to heels。 She skimmed across the park and under the boughs
like a shade； mounting then the stone steps for pedestrians which
were fixed beside the park gates here as at all the lodges。 Outside
and below her she saw an oblong shapeit was