Then she looked at the backs of her hands which she could not see because of the gathering darkness, and as they were invisible, kissed them instead, just as though they belonged to someone else. After this she sat a while brooding and listening to the pulsing of her heart, which was beating with unusual strength this night. As she did so in that mysterious hour which sometimes comes to us in English summers, a great change fell upon her. When she sat down upon that fallen tree she was still a girl and virginal; when she rose from it she was a developed, loving woman. It was as though a spirit had visited her and whispered in her ear. She could almost hear the words. They were: "Fulfil your fate. Love and be loved with body and with spirit, with heart and soul and strength."
At length she rose, and as she did so said aloud: "I do not know who or what I have to thank for life and all that makes me, me. But I am glad to have been born, now, who have often wished that I had never been born. Even if I knew that I must pass away to-night, I should still be glad, since I have learned that there is something in me which cannot die. It came when that man kissed my hands, and it will endure for ever."
Godfrey was late for dinner, very late, and what was worse, his father had waited for him.
"I suppose you forgot that I dined at seven, not at eight," was his cold greeting, for Mr. Knight, a large eater like many teetotallers, was one of those people who make a fetish of punctuality at meals, and always grow cross when they are hungry.
Godfrey, whose mind had not been steadied by the events of the afternoon, became confused and replied that he was extremely sorry, but the fact was he had met Isobel and, in talking to her, had not noticed the time.
"Isobel!" exclaimed his father, whose voice was now icy. "What Isobel?"
"I never knew but one, Father."
"Oh! I suppose you mean Miss Blake. I had no idea she was here; indeed, I thought she was still in Mexico. But doubtless you were better informed."
"No, Father, I met her accidentally. She has returned to England."
"That is obvious, Godfrey----"
"She has come down," he continued in a hurry, "to get the house ready for Sir John, who arrives shortly."
"Oh! has she? What a strange coincidence! All the years of our separation while you were way she was away, but within two days of your return she returns."