and tender.  The light wind overhead set the leaves talking, and their silky rustle sounded sharp through the low murmur of the near sea.  Now and then came other sounds.  A cushat would moan from her high fir-top, or a pheasant deep in the shadows would call with his resonant guttural.  But young Mr. Ellington did not heed the sounds and sights that asked his attention; he hardly heeded his own being, and his footsteps grated on till the veil of the trees seemed drawn back, and he saw the shining sea glimmering under a light haze.  Far out toward the centre of the blue circle, a fishing-boat lunged heavily as the deliberate rollers came shoreward, and upon this boat he fixed his eye with that meaningless intentness born of weariness.

He had begun to time his vague thought by the regular swing of the black boat, when his attention was called by a clinking sound.  Someone was trying to open a wicket which opened from a by-road to the left of him.  He caught a glimpse of bright colour through the bars, and stepped smartly forward.  The wicket was easy to open from his side, and he soon released the wayfarer from trouble.  She took one slight pace back, curtsied, and said, “Thank you, sir.”  It was not a very remarkable speech, but coming upon Ellington’s ear in his blank mood, it sounded friendly and pleasant to a strange degree.  He wanted to hear the voice again.  He rested for a brief space—­not long enough to make the interval seem awkward—­and glanced swiftly at the girl whom he had aided.  His faculties did not rise readily into keenness after his recent hour of lethargy, but he saw in an indefinite way that she was tall, and the elastic pose of her figure as she prepared to pass by him gave him somehow an impression of power.  After an instant of hesitation he met the clear look of a pair of brown eyes, and he felt that he must say something.  He fancied his slight pause had made him appear a trifle clumsy, and he sought to effect a graceful parting.  But, alas! for the grace of solitary young men!  The one right phrase, the one right gesture would not come, and so, although his manner was sufficiently easy at ordinary times, he could only say, “I’m very glad I happened to be by.”  The girl was not sophisticated enough to regard him with anything like humour.  She smilingly accepted his remark as cogent, and replied, “Yes.  Old Trumbull has funny notions about fitting on latches, hasn’t he?” Here was a distinct opportunity for further pleasing conversation, and the unfortunate Mr. Ellington was feeble.  “Oh, you know Trumbull?” he said, with alacrity.  “He and I are great friends, but I don’t interfere with his professional matters.  I’m afraid he would discharge me if I did.”