eart suddenly to her; but he was checked, as it
were, by a sudden hand, for there came into her face a sad and troubled
look, as though she blamed herself for something. Then she said to him,
faltering, that she knew not what to say, for she could not read her
daughter's heart--"and I think, Sir Paul," she added, "that she hath no
thought of love--love of the sort of which you speak. Nay, the maiden
loves you well, like a dear brother; she smiles at your approach, and
runs to meet you when she hears your step at the door"; and then seeing
a look of pain and terror in the face of Paul, she said, "Nay, dear
Paul, I know not. God knows how gladly I would have it so, but hearts
are very strangely made; yet you shall speak if you will, and I will
give you my prayers." And then she stooped to Paul, and kissed his brow,
and said, "There is a mother's kiss, for you are the son of my heart,
whatever befall."

So presently the maiden came in, and Paul asked her to walk a little
with him in the garden, and she went smiling; and then he could find no
words at all to tell her what was in his heart, till she said, laughing,
that he looked strangely, and that it seemed he had nought to say. So
Paul took her hand, and told her all his love; and she looked upon him,
smiling very quietly, neither trembling nor amazed, and said that she
would be his wife if so he willed it, and that it was a great honour;
"and then," she added, "you need not go from us, but you can sing to
Helen every day." Then he kissed her; and there came into his heart a
great wave of tenderness, and he thanked God very humbly for so great a
gift. Yet he somehow felt in his heart that he was not yet content, and
that this was not how he had thought it would fall out; but he also told
himself that he would yet win the maiden's closer love, for he saw that
she loved not as he loved. Then after a little talk they went together
and told the Lady Beckwith, and she blessed them; but Paul could see
that neither was she content, but that she looked at Margaret with a
questioning and wondering look.

Then there followed very sweet days. It was soon in the spring-time of
the year; the earth was awaking softly from her long sleep, and was by
gentle degrees arraying herself for her summer pomp. The primroses put
out yellow stars about the tree roots; the hyacinths carpeted the woods
with blue, and sent their sweet breath down the glade; and Paul felt
strange desires stir in his