kes to see
a gent more circumpec', miss, and a trifle more reserved when he's
gettin' on his thirties. Muckin' about with a garden fork and such
among a trumpery lot of roses, and racin' here, there, and everywhere
over them medders after ferns and things, like a schoolboy on a
holiday, aren't what I calls dignified deportment in full-grown
men, and in my day they didn't use to do it!' Sometimes I am in
mortal terror that she intends to give me notice and to leave me bag
and baggage; for she is always saying that she's 'sure dear Captain
Burbage couldn't have known what he was a-doing of, poor, innocent,
kind-hearted gentleman--and him so _much_ of a gent, too, and so
wonderful quiet and sedate!'"

"Poor old girl!" said Cleek, laughing. "What a shock to her if she
knew the truth. And what on earth _would_ you do if she were to
chance to get a peep at Dollops? But then, of course, there's no fear
of that--the young beggar's too careful. I told him never to come
near the house when he carries any notes."

"And he never does. Always leaves them under the stone in the path
through the woods. I go there, of course, twice every day, and I
never know that he has been about until I find one. I am always glad
to get them, but to-day's one made me very, very happy indeed."

"Because I told you you might expect me?"

"Yes. But not that alone. I think I cried a little and I _know_ I
went down on my knees--right there--out in those woods, when I read
those splendid words, 'There is but one more debt to be paid. The
"some day" of my hopes is near to me at last.'"

Her voice died off. He uncovered his head, and a stillness came that
was not broken by any sound or any movement, until he felt her hand
slip into his and remain there.

"Walk with me!" he said, closing his fingers around hers and holding
them fast. "Walk with me always. My God! I love you so!"

"Always!" she made answer in her gentle voice; and with her hand
shut tight in his, passed onward with him--over the green meadows
and into the dim, still woods, and out again into the flower-filled
fields beyond, where all the sky was golden after the fierce hues
of the sunset had drained away into the tender gleam of twilight,
and there was not one red ray left to cross the path of him.

"You have led me this way from the first," he said, breaking silence
suddenly. "Out of the glare of fire, through the dark, into peaceful
light. I had gone down to hell but for you--but