THE SILVER FOX 175 



There was a moment's pause, and the 

 country-woman's hard, red hand took it 

 and shook it, and dropped it. 



Neither spoke, but some thrill ran home 

 to Maria's heart with the meeting of the 

 palms, and sent the dew to her hot eyes. 

 They separated in silence, and Lady Susan, 

 following the long cleft to its termination, 

 climbed up the bank. Looking back, she 

 saw the hounds still hurrying in and out 

 among the hazels in excited and fruitless 

 search, and beyond them Maria's black 

 figure going away into the mist and fog. 

 She walked uncertainly, and once or twice 

 her hand went up to her eyes. 



