ThePrologue.
　　THESTREETOFTHEBLANKWALL.
　　HISEVENINGOUT.
　　THELESSON.
　　SYLVIAOFTHELETTERS.
　　THEFAWNGLOVES.
　　MALVINAOFBRITTANY.
　　THEPREFACE.
　　TheDoctorneverdidbelievethisstory，butclaimsforitthat，toagreatextent，ithasalteredhiswholeoutlookonlife.
　　"Ofcourse，whatactuallyhappened——whattookplaceundermyownnose，"continuedtheDoctor，"Idonotdispute.AndthenthereisthecaseofMrs.Marigold.Thatwasunfortunate，Iadmit，andstillis，especiallyforMarigold.But，standingbyitself，itprovesnothing.Thesefluffy，gigglingwomen——asoftenasnotitisamereshellthattheyshedwiththeirfirstyouth——oneneverknowswhatisunderneath.Withregardtotheothers，thewholethingrestsuponasimplescientificbasis.Theideawas’intheair，’aswesay——apassingbrain—wave.Andwhenithadworkeditselfouttherewasanendofit.AsforallthisJack—and—the—Beanstalktomfoolery——"
　　Therecamefromthedarkeninguplandsthesoundofalostsoul.Itroseandfellanddiedaway.
　　"Blowingstones，"explainedtheDoctor，stoppingtorefillhispipe.
　　"Onefindsthemintheseparts.Hollowedoutduringtheglacialperiod.Alwaysjustabouttwilightthatonehearsit.Rushofaircausedbysuddensinkingofthetemperature.That’showallthesesortofideasgetstarted."
　　TheDoctor，havinglithispipe，resumedhisstride.
　　"Idon’tsay，"continuedtheDoctor，"thatitwouldhavehappenedwithouthercoming.Undoubtedlyitwasshewhosuppliedthenecessarypsychicconditions.Therewasthatabouther——asortofatmosphere.ThatquaintarchaicFrenchofhers——KingArthurandtheroundtableandMerlin;itseemedtorecreateitall.Anartfulminx，thatistheonlyexplanation.Butwhileshewaslookingatyou，outofthatcuriousaloofnessofhers——"
　　TheDoctorleftthesentenceuncompleted.
　　"AsforoldLittlecherry，"theDoctorbeganagainquitesuddenly，"that’shisspeciality——folklore，occultism，allthatflummery.IfyouknockedathisdoorwiththeoriginalSleepingBeautyonyourarmhe’donlyfussroundherwithcushionsandhopethatshe’dhadagoodnight.Foundaseedonce——chippeditoutofanoldfossil，andgrewitinapotinhisstudy.Aboutthemostdilapidatedweedyoueversaw.Talkedaboutitasifhehadre—discoveredtheElixirofLife.Evenifhedidn’tsayanythinginactuallysomanywords，therewasthewayhewentabout.Thatofitselfwasenoughtohavestartedthewholething，tosaynothingofthatloonyoldIrishhousekeeperofhis，withherheadstuffedfullofelvesandbansheesandtheLordknowswhat."
　　AgaintheDoctorlapsedintosilence.Onebyonethelightsofthevillagepeepedupwardoutofthedepths.Along，lowlineoflight，creepinglikesomeluminousdragonacrossthehorizon，showedthetrackoftheGreatWesternexpressmovingstealthilytowardsSwindon.
　　"Itwasaltogetheroutofthecommon，"continuedtheDoctor，"quiteoutofthecommon，thewholething.ButifyouaregoingtoacceptoldLittlecherry’sexplanationofit——"
　　TheDoctorstruckhisfootagainstalonggreystone，halfhiddeninthegrass，andonlyjustsavedhimselffromfalling.
　　"Remainsofsomeoldcromlech，"explainedtheDoctor."Somewhereabouthere，ifweweretodigdown，weshouldfindawitheredbundleofbonescrouchingoverthedustofaprehistoricluncheon—basket.
　　Interestingneighbourhood！"
　　Thedescentwasrough.TheDoctordidnottalkagainuntilwehadreachedtheoutskirtsofthevillage.
　　"Iwonderwhat’sbecomeofthem？"musedtheDoctor."Arumgo，thewholething.Ishouldliketohavegottothebottomofit."
　　WehadreachedtheDoctor’sgate.TheDoctorpusheditopenandpassedin.Heseemedtohaveforgottenme.
　　"Atakinglittleminx，"Iheardhimmutteringtohimselfashefumbledwiththedoor."Andnodoubtmeantwell.Butasforthatcock—and—bullstory——"
　　IpiecedittogetherfromtheutterlydivergentversionsfurnishedmebytheProfessorandtheDoctor，assisted，sofaraslaterincidentsareconcerned，byknowledgecommontothevillage.
　　I.THESTORY.
　　Itcommenced，soIcalculate，abouttheyear2OOOB.C.，or，tobemoreprecise——forfiguresarenotthestrongpointoftheoldchroniclers——whenKingHeremonruledoverIrelandandHarbundiawasQueenoftheWhiteLadiesofBrittany，thefairyMalvinabeingherfavouriteattendant.ItiswithMalvinathatthisstoryischieflyconcerned.Variousquitepleasanthappeningsarerecordedtohercredit.TheWhiteLadiesbelongedtothe"goodpeople，"and，onthewhole，liveduptotheirreputation.ButinMalvina，sidebysidewithmuchthatiscommendable，thereappearstohaveexistedamostreprehensiblespiritofmischief，displayingitselfinpranksthat，excusable，oratalleventsunderstandable，in，say，apixyorapigwidgeon，strikeoneasaltogetherunworthyofawell—principledWhiteLady，posingasthefriendandbenefactressofmankind.Formerelyrefusingtodancewithher——atmidnight，bytheshoresofamountainlake;neitherthetimenortheplacecalculatedtoappealtoanelderlygentleman，sufferingpossiblyfromrheumatism——sheononeoccasiontransformedaneminentlyrespectableproprietoroftinminesintoanightingale，necessitatingachangeofhabitsthattoabusinessmanmusthavebeensingularlyirritating.Onanotheroccasionaquiteimportantqueen，havinghadthemisfortunetoquarrelwithMalvinaoversomeabsurdpointofetiquetteinconnectionwithalizard，seems，onwakingthenextmorning，tohavefoundherselfchangedintowhatonejudges，fromthesomewhatvaguedescriptionaffordedbytheancientchroniclers，tohavebeenasortofvegetablemarrow.
　　Suchchanges，accordingtotheProfessor，whoispreparedtomaintainthatevidenceofanhistoricalnatureexistssufficienttoprovethattheWhiteLadiesformedatonetimeanactuallivingcommunity，mustbetakeninanallegoricalsense.Justasmodernlunaticsbelievethemselvestobechinavasesorpoll—parrots，andthinkandbehaveassuch，soitmusthavebeeneasy，theProfessorargues，forbeingsofsuperiorintelligencetohaveexertedhypnoticinfluenceuponthesuperstitioussavagesbywhomtheyweresurrounded，andwho，intellectuallyconsidered，couldhavebeenlittlemorethanchildren.
　　"TakeNebuchadnezzar."IamstillquotingtheProfessor."Nowadaysweshouldputhimintoastrait—waistcoat.HadhelivedinNorthernEuropeinsteadofSouthernAsia，legendwouldhavetoldushowsomeKoboldorStromkarlhadturnedhimintoacompositeamalgamationofaserpent，acatandakangaroo."Bethatasitmay，thispassionforchange——inotherpeople——seemstohavegrownuponMalvinauntilshemusthavebecomelittleshortofapublicnuisance，andeventuallyitlandedherintrouble.
　　TheincidentisuniqueintheannalsoftheWhiteLadies，andthechroniclersdwelluponitwithevidentsatisfaction.ItcameaboutthroughthebetrothalofKingHeremon’sonlyson，PrinceGerbot，tothePrincessBerchtaofNormandy.Malvinaseemstohavesaidnothing，buttohavebidedhertime.TheWhiteLadiesofBrittany，itmustberemembered，werenotfairiespureandsimple.Undercertainconditionstheywerecapableofbecomingwomen，andthisfact，onetakesit，musthaveexertedadisturbinginfluenceupontheirrelationshipswitheligiblemalemortals.PrinceGerbotmaynothavebeenaltogetherblameless.Youngmeninthosesadlyunenlighteneddaysmaynot，intheirdealingswithladies，whiteorotherwise，havealwaysbeenthesoulofdiscretionandpropriety.
　　Onewouldliketothinkthebestofher.
　　Buteventhebestisindefensible.Onthedayappointedfortheweddingsheseemstohavesurpassedherself.IntowhatparticularshapeorformshealteredthewretchedPrinceGerbot;orintowhatshapeorformshepersuadedhimthathehadbeenaltered，itreally，sofarasthemoralresponsibilityofMalvinaisconcerned，seemstobeimmaterial;thechronicledoesnotstate：evidentlysomethingtooindelicateforaself—respectingchroniclertoevenhintat.
　　As，judgingfromotherpassagesinthebook，squeamishnessdoesnotseemtohavebeentheauthor’sliteraryfailing，thesensitivereadercanfeelonlygratefulfortheomission.Itwouldhavebeenaltogethertooharrowing.
　　Ithad，ofcourse，fromMalvina’spointofview，thedesiredeffect.
　　ThePrincessBerchtaappearstohavegivenonelookandthentohavefallenfaintingintothearmsofherattendants.Themarriagewaspostponedindefinitely，andMalvina，onesadlysuspects，chortled.
　　Hertriumphwasshort—lived.
　　Unfortunatelyforher，KingHeremonhadalwaysbeenapatronoftheartsandscienceofhisperiod.Amonghisfriendsweretobereckonedmagicians，genii，theNineKorrigansorFaysofBrittany——
　　allsortsofpartiescapableofexertinginfluence，and，aseventsproved，onlytoowilling.AmbassadorswaiteduponQueenHarbundia;
　　andHarbundia，evenhadshewished，asonmanypreviousoccasions，tostandbyherfavourite，hadnoalternative.ThefairyMalvinawascalledupontoreturntoPrinceGerbothisproperbodyandallthereincontained.
　　Sheflatlyrefused.Aself—willed，obstinatefairy，sufferingfromswelledhead.Andthentherewasthatpersonalnote.MerelythatheshouldmarrythePrincessBerchta！ShewouldseeKingHeremon，andAnniamus，inhissillyoldwizard’srobe，andtheFaysofBrittany，andalltherestofthem——！AreallyniceWhiteLadymaynothavecaredtofinishthesentence，eventoherself.Oneimaginestheflashofthefairyeye，thestampofthefairyfoot.
　　Whatcouldtheydotoher，anyofthem，withalltheirclackingoftonguesandtheirwaggingofheads？She，animmortalfairy！ShewouldchangePrinceGerbotbackatatimeofherownchoosing.Letthemattendtotheirowntricksandleavehertomindhers.OnepictureslongwalksandtalksbetweenthedistractedHarbundiaandherrefractoryfavourite——appealstoreason，tosentiment："Formysake.""Don’tyousee？""Afterall，dear，andevenifhedid."
　　ItseemstohaveendedbyHarbundialosingallpatience.OnethingtherewasshecoulddothatMalvinaseemseithernottohaveknownofornottohaveanticipated.AsolemnmeetingoftheWhiteLadieswasconvenedforthenightofthemidsummermoon.Theplaceofmeetingisdescribedbytheancientchroniclerswithmorethantheirusualexactitude.ItwasonthelandthatthemagicianKalybhad，agesago，raisedupaboveallBrittanytoformthegraveofKingTaramis.The"SeaoftheSevenIslands"laytothenorth.OneguessesittobetheridgeformedbytheArreeMountains."TheLadyoftheFountain"appearstohavebeenpresent，suggestingthedeepgreenpoolfromwhichtheriverD’Argenttakesitssource.Roughlyspeaking，onewouldplaceithalfwaybetweenthemoderntownsofMorlaixandCallac.Pedestrians，evenofthepresentday，speakofthestilllonelinessofthathighplateau，treeless，houseless，withnosignofhumanhandtherebutthathigh，toweringmonolithroundwhichtheshrillwindsmoanincessantly.There，possiblyonsomebrokenfragmentofthosegreatgreystones，QueenHarbundiasatinjudgment.Andthejudgmentwas——andfromittherewasnoappeal—
　　—thatthefairyMalvinashouldbecastoutfromamongthecommunityoftheWhiteLadiesofBrittany.Overthefaceoftheearthsheshouldwander，aloneandunforgiven.Solemnlyfromthebookoftheroll—calloftheWhiteLadiesthenameofMalvinawasstruckoutforever.
　　TheblowmusthavefallenuponMalvinaasheavilyasitwasunexpected.Withoutaword，withoutonebackwardlook，sheseemstohavedeparted.Onepicturesthewhite，frozenface，thewide—open，unseeingeyes，thetrembling，uncertainsteps，thegropinghands，thedeathlikesilenceclinginglikegrave—clothesroundabouther.
　　FromthatnightthefairyMalvinadisappearsfromthebookofthechroniclersoftheWhiteLadiesofBrittany，fromlegendandfromfolklorewhatsoever.ShedoesnotappearagaininhistorytilltheyearA.D.1914.
　　II.HOWITCAMEABOUT.
　　ItwasonaneveningtowardstheendofJune，1914，thatFlightCommanderRaffleton，temporarilyattachedtotheFrenchSquadronthenharbouredatBrest，receivedinstructionsbywirelesstoreturnatoncetotheBritishAirServiceHeadquartersatFarnborough，inHampshire.Thenight，thankstoagloriousfullmoon，wouldaffordallthelightherequired，andyoungRaffletondeterminedtosetoutatonce.HeappearstohavelefttheflyinggroundjustoutsidethearsenalatBrestaboutnineo’clock.AlittlebeyondHuelgoathebegantoexperiencetroublewiththecarburettor.HisideaatfirstwastopushontoLannion，wherehewouldbeabletosecureexpertassistance;butmattersonlygettingworse，andnoticingbeneathhimaconvenientstretchoflevelground，hedecidedtodescendandattendtoithimself.Healightedwithoutdifficultyandproceededtoinvestigate.Thejobtookhim，unaided，longerthanhehadanticipated.Itwasawarm，closenight，withhardlyabreathofwind，andwhenhehadfinishedhewasfeelinghotandtired.Hehaddrawnonhishelmetandwasonthepointofsteppingintohisseat，whenthebeautyofthenightsuggestedtohimthatitwouldbepleasant，beforestartingoffagain，tostretchhislegsandcoolhimselfalittle.Helitacigarandlookedroundabouthim.
　　Theplateauonwhichhehadalightedwasatable—landstandinghighabovethesurroundingcountry.Itstretchedaroundhim，treeless，houseless.Therewasnothingtobreakthelinesofthehorizonbutagroupofgauntgreystones，theremains，sohetoldhimself，ofsomeancientmenhir，commonenoughtothelonelydesertlandsofBrittany.Ingeneralthestoneslieoverthrownandscattered，butthisparticularspecimenhadbysomestrangechanceremainedundisturbedthroughallthecenturies.Mildlyinterested，FlightCommanderRaffletonstrolledleisurelytowardsit.Themoonwasatitszenith.Howstillthequietnightmusthavebeenwasimpresseduponhimbythefactthathedistinctlyheard，andcounted，thestrokesofachurchclockwhichmusthavebeenatleastsixmilesaway.Herememberslookingathiswatchandnotingthattherewasaslightdifferencebetweenhisownandthechurchtime.Hemadeiteightminutespasttwelve.Withthedyingawayofthelastvibrationsofthedistantbellthesilenceandthesolitudeoftheplaceseemedtoreturnandsettledownuponitwithincreasedinsistence.Whilehewasworkingithadnottroubledhim，butbesidetheblackshadowsthrownbythosehoarystonesithadtheeffectalmostofapresence.Itwaswithasenseofreliefthathecontemplatedreturningtohismachineandstartinguphisengine.
　　Itwouldwhirandbuzzandgivebacktohimacomfortablefeelingoflifeandsecurity.Hewouldwalkroundthestonesjustonceandthenbeoff.ItwaswonderfulhowtheyhaddefiedoldTime.Astheyhadbeenplacedthere，quitepossiblytenthousandyearsago，sotheystillstood，thealtarofthatvast，emptysky—roofedtemple.Andwhilehewasgazingatthem，hiscigarbetweenhislips，strugglingwithastrangeforgottenimpulsethatwastuggingathisknees，therecamefromtheveryheartofthegreatgreystonesthemeasuredriseandfallofasoft，evenbreathing.
　　YoungRaffletonfranklyconfessesthathisfirstimpulsewastocutandrun.Onlyhissoldier’strainingkepthisfeetfirmontheheather.Ofcourse，theexplanationwassimple.Someanimalhadmadetheplaceitsnest.Butthenwhatanimalwaseverknowntosleepsosoundlyasnottobedisturbedbyhumanfootsteps？Ifwounded，andsounabletoescape，itwouldnotbebreathingwiththatquiet，softregularity，contrastingsostrangelywiththestillnessandthesilenceallround.Possiblyanowl’snest.Youngowletsmakethatsortofnoise——the"snorers，"socountrypeoplecallthem.YoungRaffletonthrewawayhiscigarandwentdownuponhiskneestogropeamongtheshadows，and，doingso，hetouchedsomethingwarmandsoftandyielding.
　　Butitwasn’tanowl.Hemusthavetouchedherverylightly，foreventhenshedidnotwake.Shelaytherewithherheaduponherarm.Andnowclosetoher，hiseyesgrowingusedtotheshadows，hesawherquiteplainly，thewonderofthepartedlips，thegleamofthewhitelimbsbeneaththeirflimsycovering.
　　Ofcourse，whatheoughttohavedonewastohaverisengentlyandmovedaway.Thenhecouldhavecoughed.Andifthatdidnotwakeherhemighthavetouchedherlightly，say，ontheshoulder，andhavecalledtoher，firstsoftly，thenalittlelouder，"Mademoiselle，"or"Monenfant."Evenbetter，hemighthavestolenawayontiptoeandlefthertheresleeping.
　　Thisideadoesnotseemtohaveoccurredtohim.Onemakestheexcuseforhimthathewasbutthree—and—twenty，that，framedinthepurplemoonlight，sheseemedtohimthemostbeautifulcreaturehiseyeshadeverseen.Andthentherewasthebroodingmysteryofitall，thatatmosphereoffar—offprimevaltimesfromwhichtherootsoflifestilldrawtheirsap.OnetakesitheforgotthathewasFlightCommanderRaffleton，officerandgentleman;forgottheproperetiquetteapplyingtothecaseofladiesfoundsleepinguponlonelymoorswithoutachaperon.Greaterstill，thepossibilitythatheneverthoughtofanythingatall，but，justimpelledbyapowerbeyondhimself，bentdownandkissedher.
　　Notaplatonickissuponthebrow，notabrotherlykissuponthecheek，butakissfulluponthepartedlips，akissofworshipandamazement，suchasthatwithwhichAdaminallprobabilityawakenedEve.
　　Hereyesopened，and，justalittlesleepily，shelookedathim.
　　Therecouldhavebeennodoubtinhermindastowhathadhappened.
　　Hislipswerestillpressinghers.Butshedidnotseemintheleastsurprised，andmostcertainlynotangry.Raisingherselftoasittingposture，shesmiledandheldoutherhandthathemighthelpherup.And，aloneinthatvasttemple，star—roofedandmoon—
　　illumined，besidethatgrimgreyaltarofforgottenrites，handinhandtheystoodandlookedatoneanother.
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"saidCommanderRaffleton."I’mafraidIhavedisturbedyou."
　　HerememberedafterwardsthatinhisconfusionhehadspokentoherinEnglish.ButsheansweredhiminFrench，aquaint，old—fashionedFrenchsuchasonerarelyfindsbutinthepagesofoldmissals.Hewouldhavehadsomedifficultyintranslatingitliterally，butthemeaningofitwas，adaptedtoourmodernidiom：
　　"Don’tmentionit.I’msogladyou’vecome."
　　Hegatheredshehadbeenexpectinghim.Hewasnotquitesurewhetherheoughtnottoapologiseforbeingapparentlyalittlelate.True，hehadnorecollectionofanysuchappointment.ButthenatthatparticularmomentCommanderRaffletonmaybesaidtohavehadnoconsciousnessofanythingbeyondjusthimselfandthewondrousotherbesidehim.Somewhereoutsidewasmoonlightandaworld;butallthatseemedunimportant.Itwasshewhobrokethesilence.
　　"Howdidyougethere？"sheasked.
　　Hedidnotmeantobeenigmatical.Hewaschieflyconcernedwithstillgazingather.
　　"Iflewhere，"heanswered.Hereyesopenedwideratthat，butwithinterest，notdoubt.
　　"Whereareyourwings？"sheasked.Shewasleaningsideways，tryingtogetaviewofhisback.
　　Helaughed.Itmadeherseemmorehuman，thatcuriosityabouthisback.
　　"Overthere，"heanswered.Shelooked，andforthefirsttimesawthegreatshimmeringsailsgleaminglikesilverunderthemoonlight.
　　Shemovedtowardsit，andhefollowed，noticingwithoutsurprisethattheheatherseemedtomakenosignofyieldingtothepressureofherwhitefeet.
　　Shehaltedalittleawayfromit，andhecameandstoodbesideher.
　　EventoCommanderRaffletonhimselfitlookedasifthegreatwingswerequivering，liketheoutstretchedpinionsofabirdpreeningitselfbeforeflight.
　　"Isitalive？"sheasked.
　　"NottillIwhispertoit，"heanswered.Hewaslosingalittleofhisfearofher.Sheturnedtohim.
　　"Shallwego？"sheasked.
　　Hestaredather.Shewasquiteserious，thatwasevident.Shewastoputherhandinhisandgoawaywithhim.Itwasallsettled.
　　Thatiswhyhehadcome.Toheritdidnotmatterwhere.Thatwashisaffair.Butwherehewentshewastogo.Thatwasquiteclearlytheprogrammeinhermind.
　　Tohiscredit，letitberecorded，hedidmakeaneffort.Againstalltheforcesofnature，againsthistwenty—threeyearsandtheredbloodpulsinginhisveins，againstthefumesofthemidsummermoonlightencompassinghimandthevoicesofthestars，againstthedemonsofpoetryandromanceandmysterychantingtheirwitches’
　　musicinhisears，againstthemarvelandthegloryofherasshestoodbesidehim，clothedinthepurpleofthenight，FlightCommanderRaffletonfoughtthegoodfightforcommonsense.
　　Youngpersonswho，scantilyclad，gotosleepontheheather，fivemilesfromthenearesthumanhabitation，aretobeavoidedbywell—brought—upyoungofficersofHisMajesty’sAerialService.Theincidenceoftheirbeinguncannilybeautifulandalluringshouldserveasanadditionalnoteofwarning.Thegirlhadhadarowwithhermotherandwantedtogetaway.Itwasthisinfernalmoonlightthatwaschieflyresponsible.Nowonderdogsbayedatit.Healmostfanciedhecouldhearonenow.Nice，respectable，wholesome—mindedthings，dogs.Nodamnedsentimentaboutthem.
　　Whatifhehadkissedher！Oneisnotboundforlifetoeverywomanonekisses.Notthefirsttimeshehadbeenkissed，unlessalltheyoungmeninBrittanywereblindorwhiteblooded.Allthispretendedinnocenceandsimplicity！Itwasjustputon.Ifnot，shemustbealunatic.Theproperthingtodowastosaygood—byewithalaughandajest，startuphismachineandbeofftoEngland——dearoldpractical，merryEngland，wherehecouldgetbreakfastandabath.
　　Itwasn’tafairfight;onefeelsit.PoorlittleprimCommonSense，withherdefiant，turned—upnoseandhershrillgiggleandherinnatevulgarity.Andagainstherthestillnessofthenight，andthemusicoftheages，andthebeatingofhisheart.
　　Soitallfelldownabouthisfeet，alittlecrumbleddustthatapassingbreathofwindseemedtoscatter，leavinghimhelpless，spellboundbythemagicofhereyes.
　　"Whoareyou？"heaskedher.
　　"Malvina，"sheansweredhim."Iamafairy."
　　III.HOWCOUSINCHRISTOPHERBECAMEMIXEDUPWITHIT.
　　Itdidjustoccurtohimthatmaybehehadnotmadethatdescentquiteassuccessfullyashehadthoughthehad;thatmaybehehadcomedownonhishead;thatinconsequencehehaddonewiththeexperiencesofFlightCommanderRaffletonandwasnowabouttoenteronanewandlesscircumscribedexistence.Ifso，thebeginning，toanadventuresomeyoungspirit，seemedpromising.ItwasMalvina’svoicethatrecalledhimfromthistrainofmusing.
　　"Shallwego？"sherepeated，andthistimethenoteinhervoicesuggestedcommandratherthanquestion.
　　Whynot？Whateverhadhappenedtohim，atwhateverplaneofexistencehewasnowarrived，themachineapparentlyhadfollowedhim.Mechanicallyhestarteditup.Thefamiliarwhiroftheenginebroughtbacktohimthepossibilityofhisbeingaliveintheordinaryacceptationoftheterm.ItalsosuggestedtohimthepracticaladvisabilityofinsistingthatMalvinashouldputonhissparecoat.Malvinabeingfivefeetthree，andthecoathavingbeenbuiltforamanofsixfeetone，theeffectunderordinarycircumstanceswouldhavebeencomic.WhatfinallyconvincedCommanderRaffletonthatMalvinareallywasafairywasthat，inthatcoat，withthecollarstandingupsomesixinchesaboveherhead，shelookedmorelikeonethanever.
　　Neitherofthemspoke.Somehowitdidnotseemtobeneeded.Hehelpedhertoclimbintoherseatandtuckedthecoataboutherfeet.Sheansweredbythesamesmilewithwhichshehadfirststretchedoutherhandtohim.Itwasjustasmileofendlesscontent，asifallhertroubleswerenowover.CommanderRaffletonsincerelyhopedtheywere.Amomentaryflashofintelligencesuggestedtohimthathiswerejustbeginning.
　　CommanderRaffleton’ssubconsciousselfitmusthavebeenthattookchargeofthemachine.Heseems，keepingafewmilesinland，tohavefollowedthelineofthecoasttoalittlesouthoftheHaguelighthouse.Thereaboutsheremembersdescendingforthepurposeofreplenishinghistank.Nothavinganticipatedapassenger，hehadfilledupbeforestartingwithasparesupplyofpetrol，anincidentthatwasfortunate.Malvinaappearstohavebeeninterestedinwatchingwhatsheprobablyregardedassomenovelbreedofdragonbeingnourishedfromtinsextricatedfromunderherfeet，buttohaveacceptedthis，togetherwithallotherdetailsoftheflight，asinthenaturalschemeofthings.Themonsterrefreshed，tugged，spurnedtheground，androseagainwitharoar;andthecreepingsearusheddown.
　　OnehasthenotionthatforFlightCommanderRaffleton，asfortherestofus，thereliesinwaittotesttheheartofhimtheuglyandthecommonplace.Solargeaportionoftheyearswillbeforhimabusinessofmeanhopesandfears，ofsordidstruggle，oflowcaresandvulgarfret.Butalsoonehastheconvictionthattherewillalwaysremainwithhim，tomakelifewonderful，thememoryofthatnightwhen，godlike，herodeuponthewindsofheavencrownedwiththegloryoftheworld’sdesire.Nowandagainheturnedhisheadtolookather，andstill，asever，hereyesansweredhimwiththatstrangedeepcontentthatseemedtowrapthembotharoundaswithagarmentofimmortality.Onegathersdimlysomethingofwhathefeltfromthelookthatwouldunconsciouslycomeintohiseyeswhenspeakingofthatenchantedjourney，fromthesuddendumbnesswithwhichthecommonplacewordswoulddieawayuponhislips.Wellforhimthathislesserselfkeptfirmholduponthewheelormaybeafewbrokenspars，tossinguponthewaves，wouldhavebeenallthatwaslefttotellofapromisingyoungaviatorwho，onasummernightofJune，hadthoughthecouldreachthestars.
　　Half—wayacrossthedawncameflamingupovertheNeedles，andlatertherestolefromeasttowestalong，lowlineofmist—enshroudedland.Onebyoneheadlandandcliff，flashingwithgold，roseoutofthesea，andthewhite—wingedgullsflewouttomeetthem.
　　Almostheexpectedthemtoturnintospirits，circlingroundMalvinawithcriesofwelcome.
　　Nearerandnearertheydrew，whilegraduallythemistroseupwardasthemoonlightgrewfainter.AndallatoncethesweepoftheChesilBankstoodoutbeforethem，withWeymouthshelteringbehindit.
　　Itmayhavebeenthebathing—machines，orthegasometerbeyondtherailwaystation，ortheflagabovetheRoyalHotel.Thecurtainsofthenightfellsuddenlyawayfromhim.Theworkadayworldcameknockingatthedoor.
　　Helookedathiswatch.Itwasalittleafterfour.Hehadwiredthematthecamptoexpecthiminthemorning.Theywouldbelookingoutforhim.BycontinuinghiscourseheandMalvinacouldbethereaboutbreakfast—time.Hecouldintroducehertothecolonel："Allowme，ColonelGoodyer，thefairyMalvina."ItwaseitherthatordroppingMalvinasomewherebetweenWeymouthandFarnborough.Hedecided，withoutmuchconsideration，thatthislattercoursewouldbepreferable.Butwhere？Whatwashetodowithher？TherewasAuntEmily.Hadn’tshesaidsomethingaboutwantingaFrenchgovernessforGeorgina？True，Malvina’sFrenchwasatrifleold—fashionedinform，butheraccentwascharming.Andasforsalary———TherepresenteditselfthethoughtofUncleFelixandthethreeelderboys.InstinctivelyhefeltthatMalvinawouldnotbeAuntEmily’sidea.Hisfather，hadthedearoldgentlemanbeenalive，wouldhavebeenasaferefuge.Theyhadalwaysunderstoodoneanother，heandhisfather.Buthismother！Hewasnotatallsure.Hevisualisedthescene：thedrawing—roomatChesterTerrace.Hismother’ssoft，rustlingentrance.Heraffectionatebutwell—bredgreeting.AndthenthedisconcertingsilencewithwhichshewouldawaithisexplanationofMalvina.Thefactthatshewasafairyhewouldprobablyomittomention.Facedbyhismother’sgold—rimmedpince—nez，hedidnotseehimselfinsistinguponthatdetail："AyoungladyIhappenedtofindasleeponamoorinBrittany.Andseeingitwasafinenight，andtherebeingjustroominthemachine.Andshe——ImeanI——well，hereweare."Therewouldfollowsuchapainfulsilence，andthentheraisingofthedelicatelyarchedeyebrows："Youmean，mydearlad，thatyouhaveallowedthis"——therewouldbeaslighthesitationhere——"thisyoungpersontoleaveherhome，herpeople，herfriendsandrelationsinBrittany，inordertoattachherselftoyou.MayIaskinwhatcapacity？"
　　Forthatwaspreciselyhowitwouldlook，andnotonlytohismother.Supposebyamiracleitreallyrepresentedthefacts.
　　Supposethat，inspiteoftheoverwhelmingevidenceinherfavour——ofthenightandthemoonandthestars，andthefeelingthathadcometohimfromthemomenthehadkissedher——supposethat，inspiteofallthis，itturnedoutthatshewasn’tafairy.
　　SupposethatsuggestionofvulgarCommonSense，thatshewasjustalittleminxthathadrunawayfromhome，hadreallyhitthemark.
　　Supposeinquirieswerealreadyonfoot.Ahundredhorse—poweraeroplanedoesnotgoaboutunnoticed.Wasn’ttherealawaboutthissortofthing——somethingabout"decoying"and"younggirls"？
　　Hehadn’t"decoyed"her.Ifanything，itwastheotherwayabout.
　　Butwouldherconsentbeavaliddefence？Howoldwasshe？Thatwouldbethequestion.Inrealityhesupposedaboutathousandyearsorso.Possiblymore.Unfortunately，shedidn’tlookit.A
　　coldlysuspiciousmagistratewouldprobablyconsidersixteenamuchbetterguess.Quitepossiblyhewasgoingtogetintoadevilofamessoverthisbusiness.Hecastaglancebehindhim.Malvinarespondedwithherchangelesssmileofineffablecontent.Forthefirsttimeitcausedhimadistinctfeelingofirritation.
　　TheywerealmostoverWeymouthbythistime.Hecouldreadplainlytheadvertisementpostersoutsidethecinematheatrefacingtheesplanade："WilkinsandtheMermaid.ComicDrama."Therewasapictureoftheladycombingherhair;alsoofWilkins，astoutishgentlemaninstripedbathingcostume.
　　Thatmadimpulsethathadcometohimwiththefirstbreathofdawn，toshakethedwindlingworldfromhispinions，toplungeupwardtowardsthestarsnevertoreturn——hewishedtoHeavenhehadyieldedtoit.
　　AndthensuddenlythereleapttohimthethoughtofCousinChristopher.
　　DearoldCousinChristopher，fifty—eightandabachelor.Whyhaditnotoccurredtohimbefore？OutoftheskythereappearedtoCommanderRaffletonthevisionof"CousinChristopher"asaplump，rubicundangelinapanamahatandapepper—and—salttweedsuitholdingoutalifebelt.CousinChristopherwouldtaketoMalvinaassomemotherlyhentoanorphanedduckling.AfairydiscoveredasleepbesideoneoftheancientmenhirsofBrittany.Hisonlyfearwouldbethatyoumightwanttotakeherawaybeforehehadwrittenapaperabouther.HewouldbedownfromOxfordathiscottage.
　　CommanderRaffletoncouldnotforthemomentrememberthenameofthevillage.Itwouldcometohim.ItwasnorthwestofNewbury.
　　YoucrossedSalisburyPlainandmadestraightforMagdalenTower.
　　TheDownsreachedalmosttotheorchardgate.Therewasalevelstretchofswardnearlyhalfamilelong.ItseemedtoCommanderRaffletonthatCousinChristopherhadbeencreatedandcarefullypreservedbyProvidenceforthisparticularjob.
　　Hewasnolongerthemoonstruckyouthofthepreviousnight，onwhomphantasyandimaginationcouldplaywhatprankstheychose.Thatpartofhimthekeen，freshmorningairhaddrivenbackintoitscell.HewasCommanderRaffleton，aneagerandalertyoungengineerwithallhiswitsabouthim.Atthispointthathastoberemembered.DescendingonalonelyreachofshoreheproceededtoagaindisturbMalvinaforthepurposeofextractingtins.Heexpectedhispassengerwouldinbroaddaylightprovetobeapretty，childish—lookinggirl，somewhatdishevelled，with，maybe，atingeofblueaboutthenose，thenaturalresultofathree—hours’flightatfiftymilesanhour.Itwaswithastartlingreturnofhisoriginalsensationswhenfirstshehadcometolifebeneathhiskissthathehaltedafewfeetawayandstaredather.Thenightwasgone，andthesilence.Shestoodtherefacingthesunlight，cladinaBurberryovercoathalfadozensizestoolargeforher.Beyondherwasarowofbathing—machines，andbeyondthatagainagasometer.A
　　goodstrainhalfamileawaywasnoisilyshuntingtrucks.
　　Andyettheglamourwasaboutherstill;somethingindescribablebutquitepalpable——somethingoutofwhichshelookedatyouasfromanotherworld.
　　Hetookherprofferedhand，andsheleaptoutlightly.Shewasnotintheleastdishevelled.Itseemedasiftheairmustbeherproperelement.Shelookedabouther，interested，butnotcurious.
　　Herfirstthoughtwasforthemachine.
　　"Poorthing！"shesaid."Hemustbetired."
　　Thatfainttremoroffearthathadcometohimwhenbeneaththemenhir’sshadowhehadwatchedtheopeningofhereyes，returnedtohim.Itwasnotanunpleasantsensation.Ratheritaddedapiquancytotheirrelationship.Butitwasdistinctlyreal.Shewatchedthefeedingofthemonster;andthenhecameagainandstoodbesideherontheyellowsands.
　　"England！"heexplainedwithawaveofhishand.Onefanciesshehadtheimpressionthatitbelongedtohim.Graciouslysherepeatedthename.Andsomehow，asitfellfromherlips，itconjureduptoCommanderRaffletonalandofwonderandromance.
　　"Ihaveheardofit，"sheadded."IthinkIshalllikeit."
　　Heansweredthathehopedshewould.Hewasdeadlyseriousaboutit.Hepossessed，generallyspeaking，asenseofhumour;butforthemomentthismusthavedesertedhim.Hetoldherhewasgoingtoleaveherinthecareofawiseandlearnedmancalled"CousinChristopher";hisdescriptionnodoubtsuggestingtoMalvinaafriendlymagician.Hehimselfwouldhavetogoawayforalittlewhile，butwouldreturn.
　　ItdidnotseemtomattertoMalvina，theseminordetails.Itwasevident——theideainhermind——thathehadbeenappointedtoher.
　　Whetherasmasterorservantitwaslesseasytoconjecture：
　　probablyamixtureofboth，withpreferencetowardsthelatter.
　　Hementionedagainthathewouldnotbeawayforlongerthanhecouldhelp.Therewasnonecessityforthisrepetition.Shewasn’tdoubtingit.
　　Weymouthwithitsbathingmachinesanditsgasometerfadedaway.
　　KingRufuswasouta—huntingastheypassedovertheNewForest，andfromSalisburyPlain，astheylookeddown，thepixieswavedtheirhandsandlaughed.Later，theyheardtheclangoftheanvil，tellingthemtheywereintheneighbourhoodofWaylandSmith’scave;
　　andsoplaneddownsweetlyandwithoutajarjustbeyondCousinChristopher’sorchardgate.
　　Ashepherd’sboywaswhistlingsomewhereupontheDowns，andinthevalleyaploughmanhadjustharnessedhisteam;butthevillagewashiddenfromthembythesweepofthehills，andnootherbeingwasinsight.HehelpedMalvinaout，andleavingherseatedonafallenbranchbeneathawalnuttree，proceededcautiouslytowardsthehouse.Hefoundalittlemaidinthegarden.Shehadrunoutofthehouseonhearingthesoundofhispropellerandwasstaringupintothesky，sothatsheneversawhimuntilheputhishanduponhershoulder，andthenwasfortunatelytoofrightenedtoscream.Hegaveherhastyinstructions.ShewastoknockattheProfessor’sdoorandtellhimthathiscousin，CommanderRaffleton，wasthere，andwouldhecomedownatonce，byhimself，intotheorchard.
　　CommanderRaffletonwouldrathernotcomein.WouldtheProfessorcomedownatonceandspeaktoCommanderRaffletonintheorchard.
　　Shewentbackintothehouse，repeatingitalltoherself，alittlescared.
　　"GoodGod！"saidCousinChristopherfrombeneaththebedclothes.
　　"Heisn’thurt，ishe？"
　　Thelittlemaid，throughthejarofthedoor，thoughtnot.Anyhow，hedidn’tlookit.ButwouldtheProfessorkindlycomeatonce？
　　CommanderRaffletonwaswaitingforhim——intheorchard.
　　SoCousinChristopher，inbedroomslippers，withoutsocks，wearingamustard—coloureddressing—gownandablackskullcapuponhishead——
　　theverypictureofafriendlymagician——trottedhastilydownstairsandthroughthegarden，talkingtohimselfabout"foolhardyboys"
　　and"knowingitwouldhappen";andwasmuchrelievedtomeetyoungArthurRaffletoncomingtowardshim，evidentlysoundinwindandlimb.Andthenbegantowonderwhythedevilhehadbeenfrightenedoutofbedatsixo’clockinthemorningifnothingwasthematter.
　　Butsomethingclearlywas.BeforespeakingArthurRaffletonlookedcarefullyabouthiminamannersuggestiveofmystery，ifnotofcrime;andstillwithoutaword，takingCousinChristopherbythearm，ledthewaytothefartherendoftheorchard.Andthere，onafallenbranchbeneaththewalnuttree，CousinChristophersawapparentlyakhakicoat，withnothinginit，which，astheyapproachedit，roseup.
　　Butitdidnotriseveryhigh.Thebackofthecoatwastowardsthem.Itscollarstoodoutagainsttheskyline.Buttherewasn’tanyhead.Standingupright，itturnedround，andpeepingoutofitsfoldsCousinChristophersawachild’sface.Andthenlookingclosersawthatitwasn’tachild.Andthenwasn’tquitesurewhatitwas;sothatcomingtoasuddenhaltinfrontofit，CousinChristopherstaredatitwithroundwideeyes，andthenatFlightCommanderRaffleton.
　　ItwastoMalvinathatFlightCommanderRaffletonaddressedhimself.
　　"This，"hesaid，"isProfessorLittlecherry，myCousinChristopher，aboutwhomItoldyou."
　　ItwasobviousthatMalvinaregardedtheProfessorasapersonofimportance.Evidentlyherintentionwastocurtsy，anoperationthat，hamperedbythosetrailingyardsofclingingkhaki，mightprove——soitflashedupontheProfessor——notonlydifficultbutdangerous.
　　"Allowme，"saidtheProfessor.
　　HisideawastohelpMalvinaoutofCommanderRaffleton’scoat，andMalvinawaspreparingtoassisthim.CommanderRaffletonwasonlyjustintime.
　　"Idon’tthink，"saidCommanderRaffleton."Ifyoudon’tmindI
　　thinkwe’dbetterleavethatforMrs.Muldoon."
　　TheProfessorletgothecoat.Malvinaappearedashadedisappointed.Oneopinesthatnotunreasonablyshemayhavethoughttomakeabetterimpressionwithoutit.Butasmilingacquiescenceinallarrangementsmadeforherwelfareseemstohavebeenoneofhercharms.
　　"Perhaps，"suggestedCommanderRaffletontoMalvinawhilerefasteningafewofthemoreimportantbuttons，"ifyouwouldn’tmindexplainingyourselftomyCousinChristopherjustexactlywhoandwhatyouare——you’ddoitsomuchbetterthanIshould."（WhatCommanderRaffletonwassayingtohimselfwas："IfItellthedearoldJohnny，he’llthinkI’mpullinghisleg.Itwillsoundaltogetherdifferentthewayshewillputit."）"You’resureyoudon’tmind？"
　　Malvinahadn’ttheslightestobjection.Sheaccomplishedhercurtsy——orratheritlookedasifthecoatwerecurtsying——quitegracefully，andwithadignityonewouldnothaveexpectedfromit.
　　"IamthefairyMalvina，"sheexplainedtotheProfessor."Youmayhaveheardofme.IwasthefavouriteofHarbundia，QueenoftheWhiteLadiesofBrittany.Butthatwaslongago."
　　Thefriendlymagicianwasstaringatherwithapairofroundeyesthatinspiteoftheiramazementlookedkindlyandunderstanding.
　　TheyprobablyencouragedMalvinatocompletetheconfessionofhersadbriefhistory.
　　"ItwaswhenKingHeremonruledoverIreland，"shecontinued."I
　　didaveryfoolishandawickedthing，andwaspunishedforitbybeingcastoutfromthecompanionshipofmyfellows.Sincethen"——thecoatmadetheslightestofpatheticgestures——"Ihavewanderedalone."
　　Itoughttohavesoundedsoridiculoustothemboth;toldonEnglishsoilintheyearOneThousandNineHundredandFourteentoasmartyoungofficerofEngineersandanelderlyOxfordProfessor.Acrosstheroadthedoctor’soddmanwasopeninggaragedoors;anoisymilkcartwasclatteringthroughthevillagealittlelatefortheLondontrain;afaintodourofeggsandbaconcamewaftedthroughthegarden，mingledwiththescentoflavenderandpinks.ForCommanderRaffleton，maybe，therewasexcuse.Thisstory，sofarasithasgone，hastriedtomakethatclear.ButtheProfessor！HeoughttohaveexplodedinaburstofHomericlaughter，orelsetohaveshakenhisheadatherandwarnedherwherelittlegirlsgotowhodothissortofthing.
　　InsteadofwhichhestaredfromCommanderRaffletontoMalvina，andfromMalvinabacktoCommanderRaffletonwitheyessoastonishinglyroundthattheymighthavebeendrawnwithacompass.
　　"Godblessmysoul！"saidtheProfessor."Butthisismostextraordinary！"
　　"WasthereaKingHeremonofIreland？"askedCommanderRaffleton.
　　TheProfessorwasawell—knownauthorityonthesematters.
　　"OfcoursetherewasaKingHeremonofIreland，"answeredtheProfessorquitepetulantly——asiftheCommanderhadwantedtoknowiftherehadeverbeenaJuliusCaesaroraNapoleon."AndsotherewasaQueenHarbundia.Malvinaisalwaysspokenofinconnectionwithher."
　　"Whatdidshedo？"inquiredCommanderRaffleton.TheybothofthemseemedtobeobliviousofMalvina’spresence.
　　"Iforgetforthemoment，"confessedtheprofessor."Imustlookitup.Something，ifIrememberrightly，inconnectionwiththedaughterofKingDancrat.HefoundedtheNormandynasty.WilliamtheConquerorandallthatlot.GoodLord！"
　　"WouldyoumindherstayingwithyouforatimeuntilIcanmakearrangements，"suggestedCommanderRaffleton."I’dbeawfullyobligedifyouwould."
　　WhattheProfessor’sanswermighthavebeenhadhebeenallowedtoexercisesuchstockofwitsashepossessed，itisimpossibletosay.Ofcoursehewasinterested——excited，ifyouwill.Folklore，legend，tradition;thesehadbeenhislifelonghobbies.Apartfromanythingelse，hereatleastwasakindredspirit.Seemedtoknowathingortwo.Wherehadshelearnedit？MightnottherebesourcesunknowntotheProfessor？
　　Buttotakeherin！Toestablishherintheonlysparebedroom.Tointroduceher——aswhat？toEnglishvillagesociety.TothenewpeopleattheManorHouse.TothememberofParliamentwithhisinnocentyoungwifewhohadtakenthevicarageforthesummer.ToDawson，R.A.，andtheCalthorpes！
　　Hemight，hadhethoughtitworthhiswhile，havefoundsomerespectableFrenchfamilyandboardedherout.TherewasamanhehadknownforyearsatOxford，acabinetmaker;thewifeamostworthywoman.Hecouldhavegoneovertherefromtimetotime，hisnotebookinhispocket，andhaveinterviewedher.
　　Lefttohimself，hemighthavebehavedasasaneandrationalcitizen;orhemightnot.Therearerecordsfavouringthelatterpossibility.Thethingisnotcertain.Butasregardsthisparticularincidentinhiscareerhemustbeheldexonerated.Thedecisionwastakenoutofhishands.
　　ToMalvina，onfirstlandinginEngland，CommanderRaffletonhadstatedhisintentionofleavinghertemporarilyinthecareofthewiseandlearnedChristopher.ToMalvina，regardingtheCommanderasagiftfromthegods，thathadsettledthematter.ThewiseandlearnedChristopher，ofcourse，knewofthiscoming.Inallprobabilityitwashe——undertheguidanceofthegods——whohadarrangedthewholesequenceofevents.Thereremainedonlytotenderhimhergratitude.ShedidnotwaitfortheProfessor’sreply.Thecoatalittlehinderedherbut，ontheotherhand，addedperhapsanappealingtouchofitsown.TakingthewiseandlearnedChristopher’shandinbothherown，shekneltandkissedit.
　　AndinthatquaintarchaicFrenchofhers，thatlongstudyoftheChroniclesofFroissartenabledtheProfessortounderstand：
　　"Ithankyou，"shesaid，"foryournoblecourtesyandhospitality."
　　Insomemysteriouswaythewholeaffairhadsuddenlybecomeimbuedwiththedignityofanhistoricalevent.TheProfessorhadthesuddenimpression——andindeeditneveraltogetherlefthimsolongasMalvinaremained——thathewasagreatandpowerfulpersonage.A
　　sisterpotentate;incidentally——though，ofcourse，inhighpoliticssuchpointsareimmaterial——themostbewilderinglybeautifulbeinghehadeverseen;hadgraciouslyconsentedtobecomehisguest.TheProfessor，withabowthatmighthavebeenacquiredatthecourtofKingRene，expressedhissenseofthehonourdonetohim.Whatelsecouldaself—respectingpotentatedo？Theincidentwasclosed.
　　FlightCommanderRaffletonseemstohavedonenothinginthedirectionofre—openingit.Onthecontrary，heappearstohaveusedthisprecisemomentforexplainingtotheProfessorhowabsolutelynecessaryitwasthatheshoulddepartforFarnboroughwithoutanothermoment’slossoftime.CommanderRaffletonaddedthathewould"lookthembothupagain"thefirstafternoonhecouldgetaway;andwassurethatiftheProfessorwouldgetMalvinatospeakslowly，hewouldsoonfindherFrencheasytounderstand.
　　ItdidoccurtotheProfessortoaskCommanderRaffletonwherehehadfoundMalvina——thatis，ifheremembered.Alsowhathewasgoingtodoabouther——thatis，ifhehappenedtoknow.CommanderRaffleton，regrettinghisgreatneedofhaste，explainedthathehadfoundMalvinaasleepbesideamenhirnotfarfromHuelgoat，inBrittany，andwasafraidthathehadwokeherup.Forfurtherparticulars，wouldtheProfessorkindlyapplytoMalvina？Forhimself，hewouldnever，hefeltsure，beabletothanktheprofessorsufficiently.
　　Inconclusion，andwithoutgivingfurtheropportunityfordiscussion，theCommanderseemstohaveshakenhisCousinChristopherbythehandwithmuchenthusiasm;andthentohaveturnedtoMalvina.Shedidnotmove，buthereyeswerefixedonhim.Andhecametoherslowly.Andwithoutawordhekissedherfulluponthelips.
　　"Thatistwiceyouhavekissedme，"saidMalvina——andacuriouslittlesmileplayedroundhermouth."ThethirdtimeIshallbecomeawoman."
　　IV.HOWITWASKEPTFROMMRS.ARLINGTON.
　　WhatsurprisedtheProfessorhimself，whenhecametothinkofit，wasthat，leftalonewithMalvina，andinspiteofallthecircumstances，hefeltneitherembarrassmentnorperplexity.Itwasasif，sofarastheytwowereconcerned，thewholethingwasquitesimple——almosthumorous.Itwouldbetheotherpeoplewhowouldhavetoworry.
　　Thelittleservingmaidwashoveringaboutthegarden.Shewasevidentlycuriousandtryingtogetapeep.Mrs.Muldoon’svoicecouldbeheardcallingtoherfromthekitchen.Therewasthisquestionofclothes.
　　"Youhaven’tbroughtanythingwithyou？"askedtheProfessor."I
　　mean，inthewayofafrockofanysort."
　　Malvina，withasmile，gavealittlegesture.Itimpliedthatalltherewasofherandhersstoodbeforehim.
　　"Weshallhavetofindyousomething，"saidtheProfessor.
　　"Somethinginwhichyoucangoabout——"
　　TheProfessorhadintendedtosay"ourworld，"buthesitated，notfeelingpositiveatthemomenttowhichhehimselfbelonged;
　　Malvina’sorMrs.Muldoon’s.Sohemadeit"the"worldinstead.
　　AnothergestureconveyedtohimthatMalvinawasentirelyinhishands.
　　"Whatreallyhaveyougoton？"askedtheProfessor."Imeanunderneath.Isitanythingpossible——foradayortwo？"
　　NowCommanderRaffleton，forsomereasonofhisownnotatallcleartoMalvina，hadforbiddenthetakingoffofthecoat.Buthadsaidnothingaboutundoingit.SobywayofresponseMalvinaundidit.
　　UponwhichtheProfessor，toMalvina’ssurprise，actedpreciselyasCommanderRaffletonhaddone.Thatistosay，hehastilyre—closedthecoat，returningthebuttonstotheirbuttonholes.
　　ThefearmayhavecometoMalvinathatshewasdoomednevertoberidofCommanderRaffleton’scoat.