to speak, but he
must speak now, or never."

Hearing this, Adam's face looked troubled, and he answered--

"I will not misdoubt you, my good lad, or question whom you mean."

And Jason's tongue being loosed at last, the hot words came from him
like a flood.

"I have been an idle fellow, sir, I know that; good for nothing in
the world, any more than the beasts of the field, and maybe it's
because I've had nobody but myself to work for; but give me the right
to stand beside her and you shall see what I can do, for no brother
shall return her cold looks for her sweetness, and never again shall
she go back where she will only be despised."

"You are a brave lad, Jason," said Adam, as best he could for the
tears that choked him; "and though I have long had other thoughts
concerning her, yet could I trust her to your love and keeping and go
my ways with content. But no, no, my lad, it is not for me to choose
for her; and neither is for her to choose now."

Pacified by that answer Jason gave his promise freely, faithfully to
do what Adam had asked of him. And the night being now well worn
towards midnight, with the first bell of the vessel rung, and old
Chalse fussing about in busy preparation, the time had come for Adam
to part from Greeba. To bid her farewell was impossible, and to go
away without doing so was well-nigh as hard. All he could do was to
look upon her in her sleep and whisper his farewell in his heart. So
he entered on tiptoe the room where she lay. Softly the moon shone
through the window from across the white sea, and fell upon the bed.
Pausing at the door he listened for her breathing, and at last he
heard it, for the night was very still, and only by the sea's gentle
plash on the beach was the silence broken. Treading softly he
approached the bedside, and there she lay, and the quiet moonlight
lay over her--the dear, dear girl, so brave and happy-hearted. Her
lips seemed to smile; perhaps she was dreaming. He must take his last
look now. Yet no, he must kiss her first. He reached across and
lightly touched her pure forehead with his lips. Then she moved and
moaned in her sleep, and then her peaceful breathing came again.
"Now, peace be with her," Adam murmured, "and the good hand to guard
her of the good Father of all."

So Adam Fairbrother went his way, leaving Greeba behind him, and
early the next morning Jason took her back to Lague.

CHAPTER III.

THE WOOING OF JASON.

Now the one