my nerve had forsaken me, and that, unable to face the terror of
the bazaar, I had fled to Town, and should not be back till late.
I added that I should be with her in the spirit, which, after
all, was the main thing.

I put on a long overcoat and a soft hat. The nose went into
one pocket, the mask into another. Then I went cautiously
downstairs and into the dining-room. It was empty, and breakfast
was partially laid.

In feverish haste I hacked about a pound of meat off a York ham
and nearly as much off a new tongue. Wrapping the slices in a
napkin, I thrust them into the pocket with the nose. To add
half a brown loaf to the mask and drain the milk jug was the
work of another moment, and, after laying the note on Daphne's
plate, I slipped out of the French windows and into the bushes as
I heard William come down the passage. A quarter of an hour
later I was back again in the wood.

She was sitting on a log, swinging her legs to and fro. When I
took off my coat and hat, she clapped her hands in delight.

"Wait till you see the nose," said I.

When presently I slipped that French monstrosity into place, she
laughed so immoderately that her brown hair broke loose from
under the black silk cap and tumbled gloriously about her
shoulders.

"There now," she said. "See what you've done."