Theinterlocutorsdidnotparttillafteraprolongedpause，duringwhichmuchseemedtobesaid。WhenMelburyandGraceresumedtheirwalkitwaswithsomethingofalightertreadthanbefore。
Winterbornethenpursuedhisowncoursehomeward。HewasunwillingtoletcoldnessgrowupbetweenhimselfandtheMelburysforanytrivialreason，andintheeveninghewenttotheirhouse。
Ondrawingnearthegatehisattentionwasattractedbythesightofoneofthebedroomsblinkingintoastateofillumination。InitstoodGracelightingseveralcandles，herrighthandelevatingthetaper，herlefthandonherbosom，herfacethoughtfullyfixedoneachwickasitkindled，asifshesawineveryflame’sgrowththeriseofalifetomaturity。Hewonderedwhatsuchunusualbrilliancycouldmeanto-night。Ongettingin-doorshefoundherfatherandstep-motherinastateofsuppressedexcitement，whichatfirsthecouldnotcomprehend。
“Iamsorryaboutmybiddingsto-day。”saidGiles。“Idon’tknowwhatIwasdoing。Ihavecometosaythatanyofthelotsyoumayrequireareyours。”
“Oh，nevermind——nevermind。”repliedthetimber-merchant，withaslightwaveofhishand，“IhavesomuchelsetothinkofthatI