But who was that already standing by the hollow?  Was it likely that he would be later than she at the place of meeting!  Emily stood with a shock of life at the gates of her heart.  She tried to keep her eyes raised to his as she approached slowly, he with more speed.  Would she not after all find voice for the things she had to say?

Wilfrid came to her with bare head, and took her hand; no more than took her hand, for he was in awe of the solemn beauty of her countenance.

‘You thought I should keep you waiting?’ he asked in a low voice trembling with joy.  ‘I have watched the sun rise.’

‘The door had not been opened—­’

‘My window is not high above the ground,’ he answered, with an uncertain laugh.

They walked side by side over the heather, towards the beginning of a wood, young fir trees mingling with gorse and bracken.  Beyond was the dense foliage of older growths.  He had again taken one of her hands, and so led her on.

‘Emily!’

She was able to look into his face for a moment, but the moving of her lips gave no sound.

‘I could not sleep,’ he went on, ’so I read of you till dawn in the Knightes Tale.  It is a name I have always loved, sweet, musical, but of deep meaning.  Will you not let me hear you speak, Emily?’

She uttered a few timid words, then they passed on in silence till the wood was all about them.

‘May I tell you the plan which I have made in the night?’ he said, as they stood on a spot of smooth turf, netted with sunlight.  ’You leave us in two days.  Before we start for London, I shall speak with my father, and tell him what has come about.  You remember what I was saying about him the day before yesterday; perhaps it was with a half-thought of this—­so daring I was, you see!  I have no fear of his kindness, his good sense.  At the same time, it is right you should know that my independence is assured; my grandfather left me far more than enough for mere needs.  By the summer of next year I shall be free of Oxford.  I care little now for such honours as those; you have honoured me more than any other voice has power to do.  But my father would be disappointed if I did not go on to the end, and do something of what is expected.  Now you must tell me freely is there absolute necessity for your maintaining yourself in the meanwhile, for your leaving home?’

‘There is,’ she replied.

‘Then will you continue to teach the children as usual?’

She was touched with apprehension.

’Gladly I would do so—­but is it possible?  Would you conceal from Mrs. Rossall—­’

Wilfrid mused.

’I meant to.  But your instincts are truer than mine; say what you think.  I believe my father would countenance it, for it involves no real deceit.’

‘If you wish it,’ Emily said, after a silence, in a low voice.