But what?
Could it have any connection with herself and Michael?
No, that seemed impossible.

And Michael must by now have left the gardens, by the unlocked door by which he had come in.
Fay drew the reading lamp nearer to her, and opened the book of devotions which Magdalen, her far off sister in England, had sent her.
Her eyes wandered over the page, her mind taking no heed.
"_For it is the most pain that the soul may have, to turn from God any time by sin._" There certainly was a sort of subdued stir in the house.

A nameless fear was invading Fay's heart.

The book shook in her hand.

What _could_ be happening?
And if it was, as it must be, something quite apart from her and Michael, what did it matter, why be afraid?
"_For sin is vile, and so greatly to be hated that it may be likened to no pain which is not sin.