bathing-pool; back in the rapture of his kisses on her upturned face of innocence and humble passion, back in the suspense and beauty of that pagan night.  He stood still once more in the shadow of the lilacs.  Here the sea, not the stream, was Night’s voice; the sea with its sigh and rustle; no little bird, no owl, no night-Jar called or spun; but a piano tinkled, and the white houses cut the sky with solid curve, and the scent from the lilacs filled the air.  A window of the hotel, high up, was lighted; he saw a shadow move across the blind.  And most queer sensations stirred within him, a sort of churning, and twining, and turning of a single emotion on itself, as though spring and love, bewildered and confused, seeking the way, were baffled.  This girl, who had called him Frank, whose hand had given his that sudden little clutch, this girl so cool and pure—­what would she think of such wild, unlawful loving?  He sank down on the grass, sitting there cross-legged, with his back to the house, motionless as some carved Buddha.  Was he really going to break through innocence, and steal?  Sniff the scent out of a wild flower, and—­perhaps—­throw it away?  “Of a girl at Cambridge that I might have—­you know!” He put his hands to the grass, one on each side, palms downwards, and pressed; it was just warm still—­the grass, barely moist, soft and firm and friendly.  ‘What am I going to do?’ he thought.  Perhaps Megan was at her window, looking out at the blossom, thinking of him!  Poor little Megan!  ’Why not?’ he thought.  ’I love her!  But do I really love her? or do I only want her because she is so pretty, and loves me?  What am I going to do?’ The piano tinkled on, the stars winked; and Ashurst gazed out before him at the dark sea, as if spell-bound.  He got up at last, cramped and rather chilly.  There was no longer light in any window.  And he went in to bed.

Out of a deep and dreamless sleep he was awakened by the sound of thumping on the door.  A shrill voice called: 

“Hi!  Breakfast’s ready.”

He jumped up.  Where was he—?  Ah!

He found them already eating marmalade, and sat down in the empty place between Stella and Sabina, who, after watching him a little, said: 

“I say, do buck up; we’re going to start at half-past nine.”

“We’re going to Berry Head, old chap; you must come!”

Ashurst thought:  ’Come!  Impossible.  I shall be getting things and going back.’  He looked at Stella.  She said quickly: 

“Do come!”

Sabina chimed in: 

“It’ll be no fun without you.”

Freda got up and stood behind his chair.

“You’ve got to come, or else I’ll pull your hair!”

Ashurst thought:  ‘Well—­one day more—­to think it over!  One day more!’ And he said: 

“All right!  You needn’t tweak my mane!”

“Hurrah!”