They said nothing more; now and then their glances met, and they seemed to have uttered all that it was in their hearts to say.
"Halloo, Leo!"
It was Paul's shout. Leo looked back in amazement, and noticed for the first time that he and Eva had left the road and were walking along the foot-path, very much in advance of the others.
"It must be time for me to turn back; we have really come quite a distance," said Eva, withdrawing her hand from Leo's arm.
"May I come to Tausens again to-morrow?"
"Yes."
Again he kissed her hand rapturously, and she allowed it, although at the sound of Delmar's voice near by she withdrew it more quickly than before. Paul had shouted at the request of Hilda, who, now that they were approaching the steepest part of the way, thought it too difficult climbing for Eva, unaccustomed as she was to mountain-walks.
Twilight was settling down upon the landscape as Eva, Aline, and Delmar took their leave and returned to the Post, while Leo and Hilda pursued their way up the mountain.
"Eva is a charming girl," said Hilda.
"She is an angel!" Leo replied. He said nothing further; Hilda glanced up at him in surprise, but he did not notice it as he looked down, lost in dreams. An arch smile flitted across the girl's face; she nodded archly at her cousin, who did not see her, and said no further word to disturb his revery,--she thought she could divine its subject.