180 Two Lirrte Pinerims’ PRoGREss

fountains of molten jewels sprung up and flamed and
changed. The City Beautiful stood out whiter and
more spirit-like than ever in the pure radiance of
these garlands of clearest flame.

When first they came out upon it, Robin involun-
tarily pressed close to Meg, and their twin hands
clasped each other.

“Oh, Meg!” cried Robin.

“Oh, Robin!” breathed Meg, and she turned to John
Holt and caught his hand too.

“Oh, John Holt!” she said, “ John Holt!”

Very primitive and brief exclamations of joy, but
somehow human beings have uttered them just as
simply in all great moments through centuries.

John Holt knew just the degree of rapturous
feeling they expressed, and he held Meg’s hand close
and with a warm grasp.

They saw the marvellously fairy spectacle from all
points and from all sides. Led by John Holt, they
lost no view and no beauty. They feasted full of all
the delight of it, and at last he took them to a quiet
corner, where through the trees sparkled lights and
dancing water, and let them talk it out.

The day had been such an incredible one, with its
succession of excitements and almost unreal pleasures,
that they had actually forgotten that the night must