 given an analytic account of her own sensations. For
all that, the two were in profound sympathy; how different soever the ways in
which they were affected, the result, as they stood side by side, was identical
in the hearts of both.
    Sidney began to speak of Michael Snowdon, keeping his voice low, as if in
fear of breaking those subtle harmonies wherewith the night descended.
    »We must be careful not to over-tire him. He looked very pale when he went
upstairs. I've thought lately that he must suffer more than he tells us.«
    »Yes, I'm afraid he often does,« Jane assented, as if relieved to speak of
it. »Yet he always says it's nothing to trouble about, nothing but what is
natural at his age. He's altered a great deal since father came,« she added,
regarding him diffidently.
    »I hope it isn't because he thinks your father may be wanting to take you
away?«
    »Oh, it can't be that! Oh, he knows I wouldn't leave him! Mr. Kirkwood, you
don't think my father will give us any trouble?«
    She revealed an anxiety which delicacy of feeling had hitherto prevented her
expressing. Sidney at once spoke reassuringly, though he had in fact no little
suspicion of Joseph Snowdon's tactics.
    »It's my grandfather that I ought to think most of,« pursued Jane earnestly.
»I can't feel to my father as I do to him. What should I have been now if -«
    Something caused her to leave the speech unfinished, and for a few moments
there was silence. From the ground exhaled a sweet fresh odour, soothing to the
senses, and at times a breath of air brought subtler perfume from the alleys of
the garden. In the branches above them rustled a bird's wing. At a distance on
the country road sounded the trotting of a horse.
    »I feel ashamed and angry with myself,« said Sidney, in a tone of emotion,
»when I think now of those times. I might have done something, Jane. I had no
right to know what you were suffering and just go by as if it didn't matter!«
    »Oh, but you didn't!« came eagerly from the girl's lips. »You've forgotten,
but I can't. You were very kind to me - you helped me more than you can think -
you never saw me
