Jean Jacques had also roused himself, and, when the dance began, he joined in with spirit, though his face was worn and haggard even when lighted by his smile.

But though the evening came to the conventional height of hilarity, there was a note running through it which made even the youngest look at each other, as though to say, "Now, what's going to happen next!" Three people at any rate knew that something was going to happen.

They were Zoe, the Man from Outside and M.Fille.Zoe had had more than one revelation that night, and she felt again as she did one day, seven years before, when, coming home from over the hills, she had stepped into a house where Horror brooded as palpably as though it sat beside the fire, or hung above the family table.

She had felt something as soon as she had entered the door that far-off day, though the house seemed empty.

It was an emptiness which was filled with a torturing presence or torturing presenes.