Ravenslee was at the door so swiftly that Mrs. Trapes started, and she saw his eyes were very bright, and the hands he laid on her bony shoulders were quivering.

“Mrs. Trapes,” said he, “I will!”

Then he stooped, very suddenly, and kissed the thin, grey hair above her grim eyebrow, and so—­was gone.

“Find her?” mused Mrs. Trapes, glancing after him up the wide stairs.  “Why, yes, I guess he will sure find her—­where she should have been weeks ago.  Lord, what a silly, beautiful, lovely thing love is!” and she stood awhile smiling down into the fire, and her smile was very tender.

Then she sighed, switched off the lights, and went softly away.