Jameson sat by her, with one hand in his, and circling her waist with
his arm, she began to weep bitterly.

"Florence, Florence--how is this! why do you weep, beloved?"

"I do not know," said the bride, gently; "but since the good clergyman
has left us, my heart is heavy, and I feel alone."

"Do you not love me, Florence? Have you lost confidence in me?"

Florence lifted her eyes, shining with affection, and placed her hand
in his.

"But this secrecy troubles me. Let us tell my father at once," she
said, earnestly.

"But I have promised, shall I break a pledge, and that to the man of
God who has just given you to me forever and ever. Florence?"

"Surely his consent may be obtained. He said nothing of concealment to
me."

"And did you talk with him?" questioned Jameson, maintaining the same
tone in which his other questions had been put, but with a certain
sharpness in it.

"A little. He questioned me of the motives which induced my father to
oppose our marriage."

"And that was all?"

"Yes; you came in just then, and the rest seems like a dream."

"A blessed, sweet dream, Florence, for it made you my wife," said
Jameson.

Still Florence wept. "And now," she said, lifting her eyes timidly to
his, "let us return to the city; while this secrecy lasts I must see
you only in the presence of my father."

"Florence, is this distrust--is it dislike?" cried Jameson, startled
out of his usual self-command.

"Neither," said Florence, "you know that. You are certain of it as I
am myself. But I am your wife now, Herbert, and have both your honor
and my own to care for. My father has no power to separate us now, so
that fear which seemed to haunt you ever is at rest. But it is due to
myself, to him, and to you, that when you claim me as your wife, he
should know that I am such, though he may not approve."

Florence said all this very sweetly, but with a degree of gentle
firmness that seemed the more unassailable that it was sweet and
gentle. Before he could speak she withdrew herself from his arm, and
glided from the room. When quite alone, Jameson fell into an
unpleasant reverie, from which her return in the black silk dress,
with a bonnet and shawl on, aroused him.

"Come," she said, with a smile and a blush, "let us walk through the
oak woods, and across the meadows, we shall reach the village almost
as soon as the good clergyman and your friend. The reverend gentleman
will take care of me, I feel quite su