The Broad Highway

"And philosophical blacksmiths, Peter?"

"More so if they be poor blacksmiths."

"I said 'philosophical,' Peter."

"You probably find your situation horribly lonely here?" I went

on after a pause.

"Yes; it's nice and lonely, Peter."

"And, undoubtedly, this cottage is very poor and mean, and--er

--humble?" Charmian smiled and shook her head.

"But then, Charmian Brown is a very humble person, sir."

"And you haven't even the luxury of a mirror to dress your hair by!"

"Is it so very clumsily dressed, sir?"

"No, no," said I hastily, "indeed I was thinking--"

"Well, Peter?"

"That it was very--beautiful!"

"Why, you told me that last night--come, what do you think of it

this morning?"

"With those leaves in it--it is--even more so!"

Charmian laughed, and, rising, swept me a stately curtesy.

"After all, sir, we find there be exceptions to every rule!"

"You mean?"

"Even blacksmiths!"

And in a while, having finished my breakfast, I rose, and, taking

my hat, bade Charmian "Good morning," and so came to the door.

But on the threshold I turned and looked back at her. She had

risen, and stood leaning with one hand on the table; now in the

other she held the breadknife, and her eyes were upon mine.

And lo! wonder of wonders! once again, but this time sudden and

swift--up from the round, full column of her throat, up over

cheek and brow there rushed that vivid tide of color; her eyes

grew suddenly deep and soft, and then were hidden 'neath her

lashes--and, in that same moment, the knife slipped from her

grasp, and falling, point downwards, stood quivering in the floor

between us--an ugly thing that gleamed evilly.

Was this an omen--a sign vouchsafed of that which, dark and

terrible, was, even then, marching to meet us upon this Broad

Highway? O Blind, and more than blind!

Almost before it had ceased to quiver I stooped, and, plucking it

from the floor, gave it into her hand. Now, as I did so, her

fingers touched mine, and, moved by a sudden mad impulse, I

stooped and pressed my lips upon them--kissed them quick and

fierce, and so turned, and hurried upon my way.

Yet, as I went, I found that the knife had cut my chin, and that

I was bleeding.

O Blind, and more than blind! Surely this was a warning, an omen

to heed--to shiver over, despite the warm sun!