"I've met your sister, in Goldite. You can't get to Starlight to-night."
She had passed muster! A herd of wild emotions were upon her. But first here was her predicament—and what he said was not at all reassuring. Certain alarms that his coming had banished returned in a vague array.
She showed her dread in her eyes. "Perhaps I could get to Goldite."
"How?" He was half unconsciously patting Suvy, the horse, whose ecstasy thereat was not to be concealed.
Beth knew not how. She wished Van would cease that study of her face. Perhaps she could think more clearly.
"Why—I suppose I could walk—if I knew the way," she said. "Is it very far? I admit I'm bewildered. I was lost."
"It would be a long ride," he told her. "A lost man is hopeless. I couldn't even show you the way so you could keep it—especially at night."
New fears came surging upon her in all their force and numbers.
"But—what shall I do?"
Van reflected.