Afterwards he pulled a chair up to an open
window, and sat there, resting his elbows on the sill, staring out
vacantly. The sun set, and the dusk deepened; the air was loud with
birds; there were shouts of children in the distance; gradually these
died away, and the stars came out. The wind was damp and sweet; over
in the field pale shapes of mist wavered and changed like phantoms. A
woman came running noiselessly into the yard, and pressed against the
door panting, and knocked. Barney saw the swirl of light skirts
around the corner; then the knock came.
[Illustration: "Barney sat staring at vacancy"]
He got up, trembling, and opened the door, and stood there looking at
the woman, who held her hooded head down.
"It's me, Barney," said Charlotte's voice.
"Come in," said Barney, and he moved aside.
But Charlotte stood still. "I can say what I want to here," she
whispered, panting. "Barney."
"Well, what is it, Charlotte?"
"Barney."
Barney waited.
"I've come over here to-night, Barney, to see you," said Charlotte,
with solemn pauses between her words. "I don't know as I ought to; I
don't know but I ought to have more pride. I thought at first I
never--could--but afterwards I thought it was my duty. Barney, are
you going to let--anything like this--come between us--forever?"
"There's no use talking, Charlotte.
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