The cry was immediately returned by the other person; and Grace running
at once in the direction whence it came beheld an indistinct figure
hastening up to her as rapidly. They were almost in each other's arms
when she recognized in her vis-a-vis the outline and white veil of her
whom she had parted from an hour and a half before--Mrs. Charmond.
"I have lost my way, I have lost my way," cried that lady. "Oh--is it
indeed you? I am so glad to meet you or anybody. I have been wandering
up and down ever since we parted, and am nearly dead with terror and
misery and fatigue!"
"So am I," said Grace. "What shall we, shall we do?"
"You won't go away from me?" asked her companion, anxiously.
"No, indeed. Are you very tired?"
"I can scarcely move, and I am scratched dreadfully about the ankles."
Grace reflected. "Perhaps, as it is dry under foot, the best thing for
us to do would be to sit down for half an hour, and then start again
when we have thoroughly rested. By walking straight we must come to a
track leading somewhere before the morning."
They found a clump of bushy hollies which afforded a shelter from the
wind, and sat down under it, some tufts of dead fern, crisp and dry,
that remained from the previous season forming a sort of nest for them.
But it was cold, nevertheless, on this March night, particularly for
Grace, who with the sanguine prematureness of youth in matters of
dress, had considered it spring-time, and hence was not so warmly clad
as Mrs. Charmond, who still wore her winter fur. But after sitting a
while the latter lady shivered no less than Grace as the warmth
imparted by her hasty walking began to go off, and they felt the cold
air drawing through the holly leaves which scratched their backs and
shoulders. Moreover, they could hear some drops of rain falling on the
trees, though none reached the nook in which they had ensconced
themselves.
"If we were to cling close together," said Mrs. Charmond, "we should
keep each other warm. But," she added, in an uneven voice, "I suppose
you won't come near me for the world!"
"Why not?"
"Because--well, you know."
"Yes. I will--I don't hate you at all."
They consequently crept up to one another, and being in the dark,
lonely and weary, did what neither had dreamed of doing beforehand,
clasped each other closely, Mrs. Charmond's furs consoling Grace's cold
face, and each one's body as she breathed alternately heaving against
that of her companion.