wn there by the river, I have had no
eyes for any other woman's face, however beautiful, no ears for any
other woman's voice, however sweet." She was silent a moment, as she
clasped her hands and laid them against his cheek.

"How strange it sounds! But if you had chanced to see her
first--perhaps you would not have fallen in love with me? How could you
have done so? She is so very lovely--I can see she is, by Jessie's
description."

He laughed.

"Even if I had not seen you, there was no chance of my falling in love
with Miss Falconer, dearest," he said, smiling at her gravity and
earnestness. "She is very beautiful, lovely in her way, if you like;
but it is not my way. She is like a statue at most times; at others,
just now and again, like a--well, a sleek tigress in her movements and
the way she turns her head. Oh, there wasn't the least danger of my
falling in love with her, even if I hadn't seen the sweetest and
loveliest girl in all the wide world."

"And you will feel like that, feel so sure, so certain that you love
me, even though you have seen and will see so many women who are far
more beautiful than I am?" she said, dreamily.

"Sure and certain," he responded, with a long sigh. "If I were as sure
of your love as I am of mine for you--Forgive me, dearest!" for she had
raised her eyes to his with an earnestness that was almost solemn.

"You may be sure," she said, slowly. "I shall love you as long as I
live. I know it! I do not know why. I only--feel it. Perhaps we may be
parted--"

He laughed--but his hand closed on hers, and gripped them tightly.

--"But I shall always love you. Something has gone out of me--is it my
heart?--and I can never take it back from you. Perhaps you may grow
tired of me--it may be. I have read and heard of such things happening
to women--you may see someone more beautiful than Miss Falconer,
someone who will lead you to forget the little girl who rode through
the rain in Herondale. If so, there will be no need to tell me; no need
to make excuses, or ask for forgiveness. There would be no need to tell
me, for something here"--she drew her hand from his and touched her
bosom--"would tell me. You would only have to keep away from me--that
is all. And I--ah well I should be silent, quite silent."

"Dearest!" he murmured, reproachfully, and with something like awe, for
her brows were knit, her face was pale as ivory, and her eyes glowed.
"Why do you say this now, just as--as we