He was convinced that it could mean nothing to another； although somehow to him it conveyed not only Katharine herself but all those states of mind which had clustered round her since he first saw her pouring out tea on a Sunday afternoon。 It represented by its circumference of smudges surrounding a central blot all that encircling glow which for him surrounded； inexplicably； so many of the objects of life； softening their sharp outline； so that he could see certain streets； books； and situations wearing a halo almost perceptible to the physical eye。 Did she smile？ Did she put the paper down wearily； condemning it not only for its inadequacy but for its falsity？ Was she going to protest once more that he only loved the vision of her？ But it did not occur to her that this diagram had anything to do with her。 She said simply； and in the same tone of reflection： “Yes； the world looks something like that to me too。” He received her assurance with profound joy。 Quietly and steadily there rose up behind the whole aspect of life that soft edge of fire which gave its red tint to the 429 Night and Day atmosphere and crowded the scene with shadows so deep and dark that one could fancy pushing farther into their density and still farther； exploring indefinitely。 Whether there was any correspondence between the two prospects now opening before them they shared the same sense of the impending future； vast； mysterious； infinitely stored with undeveloped shapes which each would unwrap for the other to behold； but for the present the prospect of the future was enough to fill them with silent adoration。 At any rate； their further attempts to municate articulately were interrupted by a knock on the door； and the entrance of a maid who； with a due sense of mystery； announced that a lady wished to see Miss Hilbery； but refused to allow her name to be given。 When Katharine rose； with a profound sigh； to resume her duties； Ralph went with her； and neither of them formulated any guess； on their way downstairs； as to who this anonymous lady might prove to be。 Perhaps the fantastic notion that she was a little black hunchback provided with a steel knife； which she would plunge into Katharine’s heart； appeared to Ralph more probable than another； and he pushed first into the diningroom to avert the blow。 Then he exclaimed “Cassandra！” with such heartiness at the sight of Cassandra Otway standing by the diningroom table that she put her finger to her lips and begged him to be quiet。 “Nobody must know I’m here；” she explained in a sepulchral whisper。 “I missed my train。 I have been wandering about London all day。 I can bear it no longer。 Katharine； what am I to do？” Katharine pushed forward a chair； Ralph hastily found wine and poured it out for her。 If not actually fainting； she was very near it。 “William’s upstairs；” said Ralph； as soon as she appeared to be recovered。 “I’ll go and ask him to e down to you。” His own happiness had given him a confidence that every one else was bound to be happy too。 But Cassandra had her uncle’s mands and anger too vividly in her mind to dare any such defiance。 She became agitated and said that she must leave the house at once。 She was not in a condition to go； had they known where to send her。 Katharine’s mon sense； which had been in abey 430 Virginia Woolf ance for the past week or two； still failed her； and she could only ask； “But where’s your luggage？” in the vague belief that to take lodgings depended entirely upon a sufficiency of luggage。 Cassandra’s reply； “I’ve lost my luggage；” in no way helped her to a conclusion。 “You’ve lost your luggage；” she repeated。 Her eyes rested upon Ralph； with an expression which seemed better fitted to acpany a profound thanksgiving for his existence or some vow of eternal devotion than a question about luggage。 Cassandra perceived the look； and saw that it was returned； her eyes filled with tears。 She faltered in what she was saying。 She began bravely again to discuss the question of lodging when Katharine； who seemed to have municated silently with Ralph； and obtained his permission； took her ruby ring from her finger and giving it to Cassandra； said： “I believe it will fit you without any alteration。” These words would not have been enough to convince Cassandra of what she very much wished to believe had not Ralph taken the bare hand in his and demanded： “Why don’t you tell us you’re glad？” Cassandra was so glad that the tears ran down her cheeks。 The certainty of Katharine’s engagement not only relieved her of a thousand vague fears and selfreproaches； but entirely quenched that spirit of criticism which had lately impaired her belief in Katharine。 Her old faith came back to her。 She seemed to behold her with that curious intensity which she had lost； as a being who walks just beyond our sphere； so that life in their presence is a heightened process； illuminating not only ourselves but a considerable stretch of the surrounding world。 Next moment she contrasted her own lot with theirs and gave back the ring。 “I won’t take that unless William gives it me himself；” she said。 “Keep it for me； Katharine。” “I assure you everything’s perfectly all right；” said Ralph。 “Let me tell William—” He was about； in spite of Cassandra’s protest； to reach the door； when Mrs。 Hilbery； either warned by the parlor maid or conscious with her usual prescience of the need for her intervention； opened the door and smilingly surveyed them。 “My dear Cassandra！” she exclaimed。 “How delightful to 431 Night and Day see you back again！ What a coincidence！” she observed； in a general way。 “William is upstairs。 The kettle boils over。 Where’s Katharine； I say？ I go to look； and I find Cassandra！” She seemed to have proved something to her own satisfaction； although nobody felt certain what thing precisely it was。 “I find Cassandra；” she repeated。 “She missed