After half an hour Norval looked at her; he was haggard, but quite himself.
Then Donelle turned and, nodding over her bow, said:
"It's all right, the joy of it has come back and—— Oh! I see the face among the trees. What a beautiful picture! It's like a wood with a heart and soul; it's alive like Tom Gavot's road. Now we must go home, Mr. Richard Alton. We're tired, you and I.
"Home?" Norval laughed. "Home?"
"Yes, to Mamsey. I always am so glad of Mamsey when I'm tired."
"Donelle, I meant to stay here to-night."
"But instead, you are coming with me!" Donelle put out her hand, "Come!"
Norval raised the hand to his lips.
"You little, white wood-spirit," he said, "they did not teach you to play, they only let you free. Donelle, are you a spirit?"
"No," and now the yellow eyes sought and held his, "I'm a—woman, Mr. Richard Alton."