Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 3.djvu/125



day declined from its noon height, and neither knew or asked how the hours were numbered.

When the sun was touching the lowest cloud, and the amber glow was burning into scarlet, he started to his feet: he remembered that the forester would be coming homeward, and that with evening their flight must begin. As they left the cabin, Idalia looked round it with a long and wistful glanee; the day would be dear in her memory beyond all others, and in her own heart she believed that it was the last they should ever pass together. Then she lifted one of the rude wooden bowls to him with her old half-tender, half-haughty smile.

"The child is not here; put some coins in for us both. You must give me your gold to-day;