and a penniless man like myself, without prospects or friends is, methinks, more prone to it than most." "We all have dreams sometimes," she said, speaking very low, whilst her eyes sought to pierce the darkness beyond the trees.

"I too ..." She paused abruptly, and was quite still for a moment, almost holding her breath, he thought, as if she were listening.

But not a sound came to disturb the silence of the woods.

Blackbird and owl had ceased their fight for life, the squirrel had gone to rest: the evening air was filled only by the great murmur of the distant sea.
"Tell me your dream," she said abruptly.
"Alas! it is too foolish! ...

too mad! ...