In a couple of leaps she reached the tombstone, half buried in the corner at the end of the lane.

Silvere watched her descend with delight and surprise, without even thinking of helping her.

As soon as she had alighted, however, he took both her hands in his, and said: "How nimble you are!--you climb better than I do." It was thus that they met for the first time in that hidden corner where they were destined to pass such happy hours.

From that evening forward they saw each other there nearly every night.

They now only used the well to warn each other of unforeseen obstacles to their meetings, of a change of time, and of all the trifling little news that seemed important in their eyes, and allowed of no delay.