what an agreeable thing," he said, after a moment, "to have such
resources of pleasure. How you must despise an ignorant fellow like me."

"There, you wrong me," she said generously, "I am incapable of such
littleness. Here, in America, where so many of our most distinguished
men have come from contact with the field or workshop, it would be folly
in me to despise any one on account of their calling."

"But I have thought it mean, and my whole life has grown distasteful
since I met you," he said, turning suddenly and confronting her.

They were in a tangled pathway, overgrown with clinging vines, that
interlaced themselves above and upon every side. It was impossible to
proceed with this man directly in her way, so she could only stand
immovably, trying to repress all feeling of apprehension.

He went on rapidly--"I have wanted to go away somewhere, out of this,
and grow into something above this peasant's life; and all this only
since I have known you."

"Well," said Clemence, giving him a glance of cold contempt, "What has
this to do with me? Such aspirations would be more appropriate for your
wife's ear, than mine, and, do you know, your present appearance is
rather more ludicrous than sensational? I could respect you at your own
fireside, or attending to your homely labors, for you were then
occupying your proper sphere; but, at present, you impress me in a
totally different manner.

"Go back to your wife, who, if, as you declare, is not a lady, is, at
least, your equal, for you will never be a gentleman; and you can both,
if you try to do right, become happy and contented in that calling which
your parents have followed faithfully and well before you.

"When people, who have never in the course of a long life been
remarkable for ambition, suddenly come to have aspirations, you may be
quite sure that the 'arch enemy of mankind,' who is said to be
indefatigable in providing work 'for idle hands to do,' is plotting
their certain destruction."

She broke off abruptly, absolutely appalled by the gleam of murderous
hate that leaped into the man's fierce dark eye, as the meaning of her
words dawned upon his dulled perception. He opened his lips, which had
grown white with rage, but no sound came from them.

The next moment a childish voice, near them, called, "Papa! where are
you?" and Clemence drew a sigh of relief, as little Sammy Owen bounded
through the bushes to her side.

Five minutes later, she was walk