CIAN OF THE CHARIOTS

"You will find none," she said; "all is waste between here and the walls."
"And you linger on with the wolves?"
"We linger. But they rarely come ravening like this. It is held an evil sign."
"Of the Saxon?"
"So say our people; and there has been dreadful work eastward. However, by day all is yet safe here from man and beast. This is a rare place for play, and garden flowers run wild. No doubt Sylvia slipped off on some such quest, and lingered until the twilight surprised her. Was it not so, Sylvia?"
The child began to whimper at the remembrance. "Let us go home; do let us go home," was her imploring cry.
"Patience, darling. Yet I, too, think that would be well. Gentlemen, I urge no one from duty; but since you have errands with my father, we may perhaps hope to see you soon again."
"But is he not at the city?"
"Yes; and it is as well. Though if spared the wolf-howling and worrying"--
"He enjoys other fraternal sounds. There they are again."
From distant London angry calls came confusedly.
"Yes," she replied with a sigh; "farewell, until you return--with my gratitude."

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