y
lover.'

Knight said nothing to this for a minute or more, and kept silent time
with his finger to the tick of the old library clock, in which room the
colloquy was going on.

'You don't mind, Harry, do you?' she said anxiously, nestling close to
him, and watching his face.

'Of course, I don't seriously mind. In reason, a man cannot object to
such a trifle. I only thought you hadn't--that was all.'

However, one ray was abstracted from the glory about her head. But
afterwards, when Knight was wandering by himself over the bare and
breezy hills, and meditating on the subject, that ray suddenly returned.
For she might have had a lover, and never have cared in the least for
him. She might have used the word improperly, and meant 'admirer' all
the time. Of course she had been admired; and one man might have made
his admiration more prominent than that of the rest--a very natural
case.

They were sitting on one of the garden seats when he found occasion to
put the supposition to the test. 'Did you love that lover or admirer of
yours ever so little, Elfie?'

She murmured reluctantly, 'Yes, I think I did.'

Knight felt the same faint touch of misery. 'Only a very little?' he
said.

'I am not sure how much.'

'But you are sure, darling, you loved him a little?'

'I think I am sure I loved him a little.'

'And not a great deal, Elfie?'

'My love was not supported by reverence for his powers.'

'But, Elfride, did you love him deeply?' said Knight restlessly.

'I don't exactly know how deep you mean by deeply.'

'That's nonsense.'

'You misapprehend; and you have let go my hand!' she cried, her eyes
filling with tears. 'Harry, don't be severe with me, and don't question
me. I did not love him as I do you. And could it be deeply if I did
not think him cleverer than myself? For I did not. You grieve me so
much--you can't think.'

'I will not say another word about it.'

'And you will not think about it, either, will you? I know you think of
weaknesses in me after I am out of your sight; and not knowing what they
are, I cannot combat them. I almost wish you were of a grosser nature,
Harry; in truth I do! Or rather, I wish I could have the advantages such
a nature in you would afford me, and yet have you as you are.'

'What advantages would they be?'

'Less anxiety, and more security. Ordinary men are not so delicate in
their tastes as you; and where the lover or husband is not fastidious,
and refined, a