She was rewarded,
for M. Vandeloup came up about half-past eight o'clock, having met
Pierre as arranged. Pierre had found out Villiers in his hiding-
place, and was watching him while Villiers watched the house. Being,
therefore, quite easy in his mind that things were going smoothly,
Vandeloup came up to the porch where Kitty was eagerly waiting for
him, and taking her in his arms kissed her tenderly. Then, after
assuring himself that Madame was safe with Marchurst, he put his arm
round Kitty's waist, and they walked up and down the path with the
warm wind blowing in their faces, and the perfume of the wattle
blossoms permeating the drowsy air. And yet while he was walking up
and down, talking lover-like nonsense to the pretty girl by his
side, Vandeloup knew that Villiers was watching the house far off,
with evil eyes, and he also knew that Pierre was watching Villiers
with all the insatiable desire of a wild beast for blood. The moon
rose, a great shield of silver, and all the ground was strewn with
the aerial shadows of the trees. The wind sighed through the
branches of the wattles, and made their golden blossoms tremble in
the moonlight, while hand in hand the lovers strolled down the path
or over the short dry grass. Far away in the distance they heard a
woman singing, and the high sweet voice floated softly towards them
through the clear air.
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