He heard the rustling of the grasses as they trembled in the night breeze, the hoot of the owl in the ivied chimneys of Garthowen, the distant barking of a dog, the tinkle of a chain on some fishing boat rocking on the undulating waves; but no other sound broke the silence of the night.
"Jar-i! there's slow she is, if she's coming at all," said Gethin.
"Will I go and see how Sara is after her journey?
'Tis what I ought to do, and no mistake, after all her kindness." And leaving the shadow of the bushes, he stepped out into the full moonlight, only to meet Morva face to face.
"Well, indeed, Gethin!" she exclaimed, "I wasn't expecting to see you here so far from Garthowen." "No; nor I, lass," said Gethin, taking her hand, and continuing to hold it.

"I was so surprised to see thee out alone to-night; it gave me a start.

I was not expecting to see thee." "No, of course," said Morva, "and I wouldn't be here, only I was afraid I had not fastened the new calf up safely and--and--" And they looked at each other and laughed.
"Well, now, 'tis no use telling stories about it," said Gethin; "I will confess, Morva, I came here to look for thee; but I can't expect thee to say the same--or didst expect to see me, too, lass?
Say yes, now, da chi!" [1] Morva hung her head, but answered mischievously: "Well, if I did, I won't tell tales about myself, whatever; but, indeed, I mustn't stop long.

Mother will be waiting for me." "She will guess where thou art, and I cannot let thee go, lass.

Dost remember the last time we were here ?" "Yes--yes, I remember." "Dost remember I told thee what I would say if I were Will?
Wilt listen to me now, lass, though I am only Gethin ?" Is it needful to tell that she did stay long--that Sara did guess where she was; and that there, in the moonlight, with the sea breeze whispering its own love messages in their ears, the words were spoken for which each had been thirsting ever since they had met there last?
* * * * * * In the early sunrise of the next morning Ebben Owens, too, was crossing the moor.