. Whenever the wise youth encountered a mental
difficulty he instinctively lifted his shoulders to equal altitudes, to
show that he had no doubt there was a balance in the case--plenty to be
said on both sides, which was the same to him as a definite solution.

At their tryst in the wood, abutting on Raynham Park, wrapped in
themselves, piped to by tireless Love, Richard and Lucy sat, toying with
eternal moments. How they seem as if they would never end! What mere
sparks they are when they have died out! And how in the distance of time
they revive, and extend, and glow, and make us think them full the half,
and the best of the fire, of our lives!

With the onward flow of intimacy, the two happy lovers ceased to be so
shy of common themes, and their speech did not reject all as dross that
was not pure gold of emotion.

Lucy was very inquisitive about everything and everybody at Raynham.
Whoever had been about Richard since his birth, she must know the history
of, and he for a kiss will do her bidding.

Thus goes the tender duet:

"You should know my cousin Austin, Lucy.--Darling! Beloved!"

"My own! Richard!"

"You should know my cousin Austin. You shall know him. He would take to
you best of them all, and you to him. He is in the tropics now, looking
out a place--it's a secret--for poor English working-men to emigrate to
and found a colony in that part of the world:--my white angel!"

"Dear love!"

"He is such a noble fellow! Nobody here understands him but me. Isn't it
strange? Since I met you I love him better! That's because I love all
that's good and noble better now--Beautiful! I love--I love you!"

"My Richard!"

"What do you think I've determined, Lucy? If my father--but no! my father
does love me.--No! he will not; and we will be happy together here. And I
will win my way with you. And whatever I win will be yours; for it will
be owing to you. I feel as if I had no strength but yours--none! and you
make me--O Lucy!"

His voice ebbs. Presently Lucy murmurs--

"Your father, Richard."

"Yes, my father?"

"Dearest Richard! I feel so afraid of him."

"He loves me, and will love you, Lucy."

"But I am so poor and humble, Richard."

"No one I have ever seen is like you, Lucy."

"You think so, because you"--

"What?"

"Love me," comes the blushing whisper, and the duet gives place to dumb
variations, performed equally in concert.

It is resumed.

"You are fond of the knights, Lucy. Austin