man on earth
after having gone thus far with you? Have I not shown beyond possibility
of doubt that I can be nobody else's? Have I not irretrievably committed
myself?--pride has stood for nothing in the face of my great love. You
misunderstood my turning back, and I cannot explain it. It was wrong to
go with you at all; and though it would have been worse to go further,
it would have been better policy, perhaps. Be assured of this, that
whenever you have a home for me--however poor and humble--and come and
claim me, I am ready.' She added bitterly, 'When my father knows of this
day's work, he may be only too glad to let me go.'

'Perhaps he may, then, insist upon our marriage at once!' Stephen
answered, seeing a ray of hope in the very focus of her remorse. 'I
hope he may, even if we had still to part till I am ready for you, as we
intended.'

Elfride did not reply.

'You don't seem the same woman, Elfie, that you were yesterday.'

'Nor am I. But good-bye. Go back now.' And she reined the horse for
parting. 'O Stephen,' she cried, 'I feel so weak! I don't know how to
meet him. Cannot you, after all, come back with me?'

'Shall I come?'

Elfride paused to think.

'No; it will not do. It is my utter foolishness that makes me say such
words. But he will send for you.'

'Say to him,' continued Stephen, 'that we did this in the absolute
despair of our minds. Tell him we don't wish him to favour us--only to
deal justly with us. If he says, marry now, so much the better. If not,
say that all may be put right by his promise to allow me to have you
when I am good enough for you--which may be soon. Say I have nothing to
offer him in exchange for his treasure--the more sorry I; but all the
love, and all the life, and all the labour of an honest man shall be
yours. As to when this had better be told, I leave you to judge.'

His words made her cheerful enough to toy with her position.

'And if ill report should come, Stephen,' she said smiling, 'why, the
orange-tree must save me, as it saved virgins in St. George's time from
the poisonous breath of the dragon. There, forgive me for forwardness: I
am going.'

Then the boy and girl beguiled themselves with words of half-parting
only.

'Own wifie, God bless you till we meet again!'

'Till we meet again, good-bye!'

And the pony went on, and she spoke to him no more. He saw her figure
diminish and her blue veil grow gray--saw it with the agonizing
sensations of a slow