The Cathedral

ock--The

ling haze, shading in rosy mist the mountains of grey stone. The little cloud, at first in the shadowy air light green and

d faded and the sky, deserted by the sun, was milk-white. The mists descended. The

ett was putting out the candles in the choir. T

y paused, gazing at the s

there'll be star

hough a cart with heavy wheels had rumbled there. He looked suspiciously at Ronder. He did not like the man, c

, Canon," brusque

er follo

Excuse me.... I have been

e man was nervous.

" he

nge that little green cloud ris

y how greatly I've regretted that. I feel that we don't know

Ronder's spectacles sh

more of you--to have

is fool! He was afraid then. He saw himself hatl

me to say so, you have perhaps not been here quite long enough to understand the real needs of this dioc

, Have you something against me, something that I have done unwittingly? I have fancied lately a personal note.... I am

The Archdeacon smiled gri

ng things over will help us. There is re

er, invisible now, remained in

old-crested water. She leaned over the little bridge, her body strong, c

. He was better than she had supposed, far, far better. A good boy, tender and warm-hearted. To be trusted. Her friend. At first he had stood to her only for a means of freedom. Freedom from this horrible place, from this horrible man, her father, more horri

the bridge together, his arm ar

ooked

n. Ever seen a green cloud be

dusk came down she stroked his hair. He put

I

the fair watery space was pale egg-blue; as the chimes so near at hand struck a quarter to five the pale colour began slowly to d

the full glory of the sunset. She heard, contending with the chimes, the last ro

y spring leafage, curl from the tower smoke-wise; and there,

Something wrong, too, with herself. She had heard in the town the talk about this girl who was coming to the Castle for the Jubi

g." But he stopped her. His face was flushed.

to you. Lovely evening, isn't it?...You cut me

hy

d to spe

you if I go away--suddenly--I'm coming back. Mind that. You're not to believe anything they say--anyth

ff towards the Cathedral, A

gone too--goin

hed her door the wind rose, sifting

ngement, pushed towards one another by destiny, as they

the green hollow below the Cathedral, above the stream, the hollow under the o

like a memory, a reiteration of an old promise, a melody almost forgotten. But above her head the woman, looking up, could see the rose change

the tangled path to her home in the Precincts, he sauntering slowly, his hands be

ever stayed more than ten minutes there together. No one f

you. No, I had nothing to say. Only to see you. But I am so lonely in that house. I always knew I was lonely-

other, but stood opposit

It can't be wicked just to meet

and my son--you are all I have in the world. The

ut I don't feel lonely any mo

quiet and gentle and unhappy. I realized your unhappiness instantly. No one else in this place seem

o you see that strange green cloud? Ah, now it is gon

o her. His hand

trembling, stroked her arm. She did not move. His hand, shaking, touched

on his shoulder, then, whispering good-nig