The Virgin in Judgment

d make a theatre large enough for the pageant of the seasons, a haunt small enough to be loved as a personal possession and abiding treasure. Dennyc

dormer windows--a thing of moorstone colour, yet splashed as to the lintel-post with raw whitewash, so that it should be seen in the darkness of moonless nights. Beneath, through a bottom of willow scrub, furze and stunted oak, the Dennycoombe

the day lacked for sunshine, her heart was full of it, because now she went

oper to them. There are syllables whose chance utterance unlocks all the gates of the mind; floods the spirit with radiance; lifts to delight, if the

blue-green firs melted together and massed upon the forest; here dark green pines, straight-limbed, lifted their pinnacles all fringed with russet cones. A haze of the larch needles still aloft washed the whole wood delicately and shone against the inner gloom of it. Round the spinney edge stood beeches with boles of mottled silver, and their remaining foliage set the faint gold of th

f the sun, indeed, appeared behind a shield of pearl that floated westerly and sank upon the sky; but light remained clear and colourless; tender, translucent grey swept the firma

ut David's strength--a quality quite different to any that she possessed--drew her forcibly into his arms. When she found that he loved her, the other man suffered a change and receded into a region somewhat vague and shadowy. Friendly she felt to Bartley Crocker and eager to serve him and advance his welfare, but the old dreams were dead. She had thought of him as a husband, in the

ep in thought. His hat was off and his hair was brushed up on end. He wore velveteens and gaiters, and had made some additions to his usual week-day toilet in the shape of a collar, a tie and a white linen shirt. The collar appeared too tight and once he tugged at it an

died her emotion an

rd for 'e. 'Tis dry fern

ith help from his arm.

be here," he said. "To come here for

ttiest chap this side of the Moor.

g easily said and yet-- However, all the same, I wouldn't say it to-day if I

er do y

feeling against 'em, though he can't explain it, and grows vexed if anybody says a

ish = S

that--at least--" Sh

it? Can a rare maiden like you let a rough chap like me offer t

ent and he

ngs in my favour as wel

g, nothing agai

ou'll t

ud and h

ghts, and fretting. Yet, you see, 'twas the work of a moment. Thank you, thank you very much indeed for marrying me, Madge. I'll make you the best

nce. He had found such a place on the upper waters of Meavy, where stood a ruin that might easily be restored and made a snug and comfortable home. He meant to breed ponies

" said Margaret, faintly. Her voice showed her heart was

d la

frank,

ving good enou

he'll jolly soon have to do it. There's five hundred pound has come to me, you must know, under the will of my mother's brother who died back-along. It's goodied a bit since and us'll have some s

she said. "I hope 'tisn't

uins be old miners' works; and we'll have a shippe

seemed that her help was hardly vital to the enterprise. At last she brought the matter

d to make you a

ous of the moment and the mighty t

f you, Madge. And I'll do my share, and work early and late for you, and lay by for you, and lift you up, perhaps

me always, always, alw

t. Now I know you can take me, I feel as if I should like to get up off this rock

t this is to me--so much, muc

mind. My folk will tell you now, no doubt, how it has been with me. That glowering and glumpi

uld he never touch her? Was she

und her, no fierce caress, no hot storm of kisses. He talked hopefully--even joyfully, with his eyes upon her f

said. "And it will be well if we're moving. Coarse w

e in and te

st

've got to obey me now, y

off

oda was better at figures than he was. He hoped that Margaret was good at figures. She sai

ey returned, and through, the gloaming the white l

e woke in David. After they had crossed the stream and reached a rush-

he said, "afore we go on,

and they

kiss you,

heir repose was roughly broken. They clucked and cried until Mrs. Stanbury, s

aret and David--s

he man; "and please God, I'll b

, I'm sure. And I'll be proud to have you for

ce he still held Madge by the waist, all three wer

long the upper chambers of the air. The Hesperides--daughters of sunset--danced golden-footed on the threshold of evening, and their glimmering skirts swept earth also, set radiance upo

a upon Night's fringes, the mother, t