I think this has been the happiest night of

Then they began to see themselves and their lives, and the wholeof human life advancing very nobly under the direction of the music. 　　They felt themselves ennobled, and when Rachel stopped playing theydesired nothing but sleep. 　　Susan rose. "I think this has been the happiest night of my life!"she exclaimed. "I do adore music," she said, as she thanked Rachel. 　　"It just seems to say all the things one can't say oneself."She gave a nervous little laugh and looked from one to another withgreat benignity, as though she would like to say something but couldnot find the words in which to express it. "Every one's been so kind--so very kind," she said. Then she too went to bed. 　　The party having ended in the very abrupt way in which partiesdo end, Helen and Rachel stood by the door with their cloaks on,looking for a carriage. 　　"I suppose you realise that there are no carriages left?"said St. John, who had been out to look. "You must sleep here.""Oh, no," said Helen; "we shall walk.""May we come too?" Hewet asked. "We can't go to bed. Imagine lyingamong bolsters and looking at one's washstand on a morning like this--Is that where you live?" They had begun to walk down the avenue,and he turned and pointed at the white and green villa on the hillside,which seemed to have its eyes shut. 　　"That's not a light burning, is it?" Helen asked anxiously. 　　"It's the sun," said St. John. The upper windows had each a spotof gold on them. 　　"I was afraid it was my husband, still reading Greek," she said. 　　"All this time he's been editing _Pindar_."They passed through the town and turned up the steep road,which was perfectly clear, though still unbordered by shadows. 　　Partly because they were tired, and partly because the early lightsubdued them, they scarcely spoke, but breathed in the deliciousfresh air, which seemed to belong to a different state of lifefrom the air at midday. When they came to the high yellow wall,where the lane turned off from the road, Helen was for dismissingthe two young men.