The Rocks of Valpré

kness, all her fears swept away in the

?" was the utmost reproof she could find it

l to be back safe and sound in her loving arms as she was to have him there. They discussed the subject at length and

renchman, Chris's preux chevalier, who had so n

reflected hopefully. "We shall just hav

they wiled away some time in the joy of reunion. But the minutes began t

iously uneasy. What cou

his way? And if s

ait! And she was so tired of the

althy footfalls above the long, deep roar of the sea, to feel the clammy presence of creatures unknown and ho

magic, and even thence to the shore. But she did not for a moment contemplate such a proceeding. She would have felt li

n Cinders, infected thereby, began to growl below his breat

from her, chid Cinders for his foolish cowardice, and fel

to her strained nerves. Sometimes the echoes seemed to mock her, but she would

matically to sleep, secure in her assurance that there was nothing whatever to be afraid of. Small creature though he was, her arms ached from holding

but she would not give way to desp

faint sound of his returning feet she would not believe her ears. But when Cinders heard it also,

rly for the first sign of light from his lantern, but she watched in vain. No fai

he listened till she could bear it no longer; then "Bertr

I have had-an accident. I am desolated-afflicted; there are no words that can say. And

hris; "I can't sing. Wha

you

-a bagatelle. Ah, but

am rejoic

his time. I thought you were never coming. At least, of course, I kne

he said. "But w

ed," said Chris.

ere not af

now, and Cinders was wriggl

"That's why I whistled. But it's

said. "Bu

sked, with su

oment, then, "Th

roke down. She thrust out a clinging hand and clutched his arm.

er hand and held it. "It is not that. The water will not reac

er so much," she said. "Let us get out of this horrid little tunne

the seriousness of the dilemma in which she found herself? Well, if not-he shrugged his shoulders-it was not f

ng, and we've got the cake for supper, if we can only find it. Will you go first, please, so that I can

nd I ran. I tripped and struck my head. It stunned me. Après cela, I lay-depu

ng," sai

at the dawn," he said,

y and li

able severity. "Are you sure you are awake now? Oh, look! There is a

nd useless. Also I found tha

relief as they emerged into the dim twilight of the cave. "Oh, isn't

" he said. "Can y

could hear the water lapping the sides of

rtie. I daresay it wasn't altogether your fault, and I expect your head aches

rehead till her fingers encount

he exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell m

Think no more of it, I beg. I merited it for my negligence. Now, while there is st

sented to her the worst aspect of the catastrophe. But Chr

ard such a funny story the other day about this very cave. I'll tell you about it presently. But do find the cake first. I'm so hungry. We needn

and knew not whether to be more astounded or relieved. He began to feel about for the basket containing the remna

cliff. But Chris would not for a moment consider this proposition, and he was too shaken by his recent fall to feel assured of su

she managed to extract any enjoyment from a most difficult situation, so much t

er woes. They went down the passage later as far as the bend, and looked at

returned. "But if we hold hands and talk I shan't mind. That

us meal, pressed against her. She protested when Bertrand took off his coat and wrapped it round her,

you will feel

re wide-awake in my life. I often do at bedtime. I hope you ar

to listen. "You were going to tell me som

d that it was well known that no one ever came out the same as they went in even in the daytime, and if any one were to spend the night here they would be under a spell for the rest of their lives. Just think of that, Bertie! D

and slipped a hand inside his

e. No evil can touch

he told him frankly. "Did you ever hear a

me here at first, because I knew that I should be alone. I had

" queried Ch

I have never remained here for the night. And the

already," she said. "

was suddenly grave. "T

e you knock your head. One never knows. But tell

aid, "I calcula

do you

secret,

u will

Chri

le can. Try me!" She thrust forward the little finger of the hand that his arm held. "You must pinch

ust you with my life," he said, "with my honour, with all that I possess. Christine, I am an inventor, and I

a gasp; then in haste, "Not-n

he English-il faut que les anglais soient toujours, toujours les premiers-is it not so-always and in all things? Yet cons

n't quite like it," she said. "I'm very

e materials of which we weave our life. Envy, ambition, success-what are they? Only a procession that marches under the windows, and we look out above them, you and I, to t

red in his sleep, and she had drawn

e. Then, her voice a li

ot ambitio

nt a certain tension went out of the atmosphere-a tension o

he world will envy. I shall be famous." He broke off to laugh exultantly. "Oh, it will be good-good!" he said. "One does not

gun?" s

un! It is also a se

only an aeroplane, or something that didn't hurt anyone! Of course, yo

But I understand all. And you

stly. "Of course, I'm not being per

really?

d Cinders. He always kn

ou quite a lot

e phrase musingly as if questioning

he broke off to yawn. "Do you know, I'm beginning to get

pell," he said,

he remarked. "I wish I were like Cinders. He can

shoulder?" Bertrand suggeste

. It would be better than nodding one's head off, as if one were

e to sleep," he

up all night before," she said. "It feels so funny. How the sea roars! I wish it wo

t upon hers. "I am

ven't said my prayers. Do you think it matter

said. "Le bon D

ittle. "Are you going

s, litt

ht," she said comfo

ight, c

even feel her hair blow lightly against his face. But he

r; and he turned, moving for the first time, and gathered her into his arms, holding her there like an infant aga

as the eyes of a warrior keeping his vigil on the eve of knighthood. But his he