It was not Thyrza. It was a man. I saw him distinctly in the full sunlight. Had he come to tell me ill news of Thyrza?
I cannot think now why I was not more afraid. I did not feel afraid, sitting there with clasped hands, gazing upward. I could follow every movement of the descending figure. He seemed to be a good climber. That was speedily apparent. Down and down he came, steadily. Once he leaped a wall, perhaps to find an easier slope on the other side.
When more than half-way down, he stood still, and seemed to be looking at something or for somebody. I waved my handkerchief, and he at once waved his. So I knew he was coming to me,—though I did not know yet the full meaning of "he!" Joys, like sorrows, often dawn upon us step by step.
The lower portion of the slope was very rapidly got over; so rapidly that I was afraid he would slip. He took it at a run, and I saw him spring over some obstacle at the bottom. After which he marched straightly and swiftly towards where I sat.
Till then no thought of the truth had come into my mind. But something in the upright bearing, the slender frame, the soldierly walk, brought recollections thronging and made my heart beat fast.
"Absurd," I murmured. "Ridiculous of me to think—But it is like! I suppose he must be in the army too, whoever he is."
I do not know how long I fought against the reality,—how soon I dared to let myself believe it. I only know that I stood up slowly, and that he came nearer and nearer,—came fast, with his face turned fixedly towards mine. And the sunshine outside seemed to be filling my heart again; only this time it was a more earthly tremulous sunshine, flickering with every stride he took.
And I forgot all about Miss Millington, all about the news of Arthur's engagement.
For he was standing close in front of me, his hand clasping mine, and I was looking up into his face with a smile of welcome, such as I had not dared to give him that other time when we met. The lonely Pass seemed all at once full of life; and every touch of greyness had gone out of my future.
For the moment that our eyes met, I think each understood the other; though I only said, "Where is Thyrza?"