Anne always knew, though the same brave smile greeted her every day, when he had been through one of these ordeals.  He was always so ready to tell her when the news was good, but when it was otherwise his lips were sealed upon the subject.  He never uttered a desponding word in her presence.

But still, gradual, often halting though it was, he did make progress.  He went forward more than he slipped back.  And ever he carried in his eyes the light of a great hope.  She knew that he did not despair, even in his own hidden soul.

And day by day her love and admiration for the man grew and spread, filling her life, renewing her youth, transforming her very existence.  Day by day she sounded greater depths of a nature that made her feel infinitely small in comparison.  Day by day she marvelled afresh at the greatness and the simplicity that went to the making of this man’s soul.

No one, save Mrs. Errol, knew of what had passed between them.  They scarcely referred to it even in private.  There was no need, for the understanding between them was complete.  By mutual consent they awaited the coming of Capper and the final miracle.

Slowly the dark, bitter days of January dragged away.  The Hunt Ball had been postponed till the following month when the Town Hall, which had been building all the winter, should be complete.  Anne, to her dismay, had been unanimously elected to perform the opening ceremony.  Her position as Lady of the Manor made her prominent, and, no substitute being forthcoming, she had been obliged reluctantly to consent.  Her deep mourning enabled her to avoid any succeeding social function, but, since she had broken her seclusion, she found it impossible to escape the ceremony itself.

She had never enjoyed social prominence, and she was thankful that at the Hunt Ball at least her presence could not be expected.  She never thought of the last that she had attended without a shiver.  It had been her birthday, and this fact brought it to mind the more persistently.  This year she spent the day in the peaceful atmosphere of Baronmead, driving home at length, through the frosty starlight, in the Errols’ car.

She strove as she went to put away from her the memory of that other ride of a year ago, when she had been borne swiftly through the darkness as though upon wings, when she had lain back exhausted in her corner and dreamed a strange, vivid dream, while Nap had sat upright beside her, alert, silent, inscrutable, plucking the gloves to tatters between his restless hands.

The vision would not be excluded, strive though she might.  She leaned amongst the cushions and closed her eyes, trying to trick herself to drowsiness, but on the instant he was there beside her again, a ruthless, indomitable presence, which would not be ignored.  She was glad when she came to her journey’s end.

Entering the hall, she gathered up a few letters that lay there, and went straight to her room.  With a feeling of unwonted fatigue she dropped into an easy-chair and sat for awhile inert.  On her right hand she wore a ring that Lucas had given her only that day.