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 nine—­two 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.