he had lost, for the heavy cloud deceived him at every moment, and its floating masses misled him into mistaking them for solid objects. Yet, to his astonishment, he found the glade, wherein lay the blasted trunk, quite clear and full of sunbeams. The mist surrounded it on all sides, but did not enter it; and he could look upwards, as from the bottom of a huge well, and see the deep blue sky of heaven. Stella was not there; and he was annoyed, for his whole being was longing for her, and his lips were aching for the kiss which he had promised him-self. Yet he was early. Doubtless she would soon come. A bright flower, just opening its dewy petals to the cherishing day, caught his eye, and he stooped to examine it.
When he rose and looked again he saw a well-known form sitting on the fallen tree.
She did not see him, for her back. was turned, and he stole to her noiselessly from behind and gently put his arm round her.
