Morton and Mildred stayed; but neither was in the mood to listen. They
contributed a trifle each to these poor mummers of the lane's end, and
it seemed that their charity had advanced them in their intimacy.
Without hesitation they left the road, taking a sandy path which led
through some rocks. Mildred's feet sank in the loose sand, and very
soon it seemed to her that they had left Barbizon far behind. For the
great grey rocks and the dismantled tree trunk which they had suddenly
come upon frightened her; and she could hardly bear with the ghostly
appearance the forest took in the stream of glittering light which
flowed down from the moon.

She wished to turn back. But Morton said that they would meet the
others beyond the hill, and she followed him through great rocks,
filled with strange shadows. The pines stood round the hill-top making
it seem like a shrine; a round yellow moon looked through; there was
the awe of death in the lurid silence, and so clear was the sky that
the points of the needles could be seen upon it.

'We must go back,' she said.

'If you like.'

But, at that moment, voices were heard coming over the brow of the
hill.

'You see I did not deceive you. There are your friends, I knew we
should meet them. That is Miss Laurence's voice, one can always
recognise it.'