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words of course inaudible … only a flow of undecipherable speech；
quiet； cordial； colourless； more intimate and winning； more
eloquent of her personality； but not less beautiful than song。 And
the next moment the clamour of a fresh squall broke out about the
cottage； the voice was drowned in its bellowing； and I was glad to
retreat from my dangerous post。
For three egregious hours I must now suffer the elements to do
their worst upon me； and continue to hold my ground in patience。 I
recalled the least fortunate of my services in the field： being
out…sentry of the pickets in weather no less vile； sometimes
unsuppered and with nothing to look forward to by way of breakfast
but musket…balls； and they seemed light in comparison。 So
strangely are we built： so much more strong is the love of woman
than the mere love of life。
At last my patience was rewarded。 The light disappeared from the
parlour and reappeared a moment after in the room above。 I was
pretty well informed for the enterprise that lay before me。 I knew
the lair of the dragon … that which was just illuminated。 I knew
the bower of my Rosamond； and how excellently it was placed on the
ground…level； round the flank of the cottage and out of earshot of
her formidable aunt。 Nothing was left but to apply my knowledge。
I was then at the bottom of the garden； whether I had gone （Heaven
save the mark！） for warmth； that I might walk to and fro unheard
and keep myself from perishing。 The night had fallen still； the
wind ceased； the noise of the rain had much lightened； if it had
not stopped； and was succeeded by the dripping of the garden trees。
In the midst of this lull； and as I was already drawing near to the
cottage； I was startled by the sound of a window…sash screaming in
its channels； and a step or two beyond I became aware of a gush of
light upon the darkness。 It fell from Flora's window； which she
had flung open on the night； and where she now sat； roseate and
pensive； in the shine of two candles falling from behind； her
tresses deeply embowering and shading her； the suspended comb still
in one hand； the other idly clinging to the iron stanchions with
which the window was barred。
Keeping to the turf； and favoured by the darkness of the night and
the patter of the rain which was now returning； though without
wind； I approached until I could almost have touched her。 It
seemed a grossness of which I was incapable to break up her reverie
by speech。 I stood and drank her in with my eyes； how the light
made a glory in her hair； and （what I have always thought the most
ravishing thing in nature） how the planes ran into each other； and
were distinguished； and how the hues blended and varied； and were
shaded off； between the cheek and neck。 At first I was abashed：
she wore her beauty like an immediate halo of refinement； she
discouraged me like an angel； or what I suspect to be the next most
discouraging； a modern lady。 But as I continued to gaze； hope and
life returned to me； I forgot my timidity； I forgot the sickening
pack of wet clothes with which I stood burdened； I tingled with new
blood。
Still unconscious of my presence； still gazing before her upon the
illuminated image of the window； the straight shadows of the bars；
the glinting of pebbles on the path； and the impenetrable night on
the garden and the hills beyond it； she heaved a deep breath that
struck upon my heart like an appeal。
'Why does Miss Gilchrist sigh？' I whispered。 'Does she recall
absent friends？'
She turned her head swiftly in my direction； it was the only sign
of surprise she deigned to make。 At the same time I stepped into
the light and bowed profoundly。
'You！' she said。 'Here？'
'Yes； I am here；' I replied。 'I have come very far； it may be a
hundred and fifty leagues； to see you。 I have waited all this
night in your garden。 Will Miss Gilchrist not offer her hand … to
a friend in trouble？'
She extended it between the bars； and I dropped upon one knee on
the wet path and kissed it twice。 At the second it was withdrawn
suddenly； methought with more of a start than she had hitherto
displayed。 I regained my former attitude； and we were both silent
awhile。 My timidity returned on me tenfold。 I looked in her face
for any signals of anger； and seeing her eyes to waver and fall
aside from mine； augured that all was well。
'You must have been mad to come here！' she broke out。 'Of all
places under heaven this is no place for you to come。 And I was
just thinking you were safe in France！'
'You were thinking of me！' I cried。
'Mr。 St。 Ives； you cannot understand your danger；' she replied。 'I
am sure of it； and yet I cannot find it in my heart to tell you。
O； be persuaded； and go！'
'I believe I know the worst。 But I was never one to set an undue
value on life； the life that we share with beasts。 My university
has been in the wars； not a famous place of education； but one
where a man learns to carry his life in his hand as lightly as a
glove； and for his lady or his honour to lay it as lightly down。
You appeal to my fears； and you do wrong。 I have come to Scotland
with my eyes quite open to see you and to speak with you … it may
be for the last time。 With my eyes quite open； I say； and if I did
not hesitate at the beginning do you think that I would draw back
now？'
'You do not know！' she cried； with rising agitation。 'This
country； even this garden； is death to you。 They all believe it； I
am the only one that does not。 If they hear you now； if they heard
a whisper … I dread to think of it。 O； go； go this instant。 It is
my prayer。'
'Dear lady； do not refuse me what I have come so far to seek； and
remember that out of all the millions in England there is no other
but yourself in whom I can dare confide。 I have all the world
against me； you are my only ally； and as I have to speak； you have
to listen。 All is true that they say of me； and all of it false at
the same time。 I did kill this man Goguelat … it was that you
meant？'
She mutely signed to me that it was； she had become deadly pale。
'But I killed him in fair fight。 Till then； I had never taken a
life unless in battle； which is my trade。 But I was grateful； I
was on fire with gratitude； to one who had been good to me； who had
been better to me than I could have dreamed of an angel； who had
come into the darkness of my prison like sunrise。 The man Goguelat
insulted her。 O； he had insulted me often； it was his favourite
pastime； and he might insult me as he pleased … for who was I？ But
with that lady it was different。 I could never forgive myself if I
had let it pass。 And we fought； and he fell； and I have no
remorse。'
I waited anxiously for some reply。 The worst was now out； and I
knew that she had heard of it before； but it wa