d turning
away, she said, in a troubled tone:

"Rise. Never kneel to any creature; that homage is due the Creator
alone. Oh, rise!"

"First pardon me--first hear me, beloved girl!"

"Oh, rise--rise, I beg you! I cannot bear to see a man on his knee,
except in prayer to God!" she said, walking away.

He sprang up and followed her, took her hand, and, with gentle
compulsion, made her sit down upon a bank; and then he sank beside her,
exclaiming eagerly, vehemently, yet in a low, half-smothered tone:

"Marian, I love you! I never spoke these words to woman before, for I
never loved before. Marian, the first moment that I saw you I loved you,
without knowing what new life it was that had kindled in my nature. I
have loved you more and more every day! I love you more than words can
tell or heart conceive! I only live in your presence! Marian! not one
word or glance for me? Oh, speak! Turn your dear face toward me," he
said, putting his hand gently around her head. "Speak to me, Marian, for
I adore--I worship you!"

"I do not deserve to be loved in that way. I do not wish it, for it is
wrong--idolatrous," she said, in a low, trembling voice.

"Oh! what do you mean? Is the love upon which my life seems to hang so
offensive to you? Say, Marian! Oh! you are compassionate by nature; how
can you keep me in the torture of suspense?"

"I do not keep you so."

"You will let me love you?"

Marian slipped her hand in his; that was her reply.

"You will love me?"

For all answer she gently pressed his fingers. He pressed her hand to
his heart, to his lips, covering it with kisses.

"Yet, oh! speak to me, dearest; let me hear from your lips that you love
me--a little--but better than I deserve. Will you? Say, Marian! Speak,
dearest girl!"

"I cannot tell you now," she said, in a low, thrilling tone. "I am
disturbed; I wish to grow quiet; and I must go home. Let us return."

One more passionate kiss of the hand he clasped, and then he helped her
to her feet, drew her arm within his own, and led her up the
moss-covered rocks that formed the natural steps of the ascent that led
to the homeward path.

They were now near the verge of the forest, which, when they reached,
Marian drew her arm from his, and, extending her hand, said:

"This is the place our roads part."

"But you will let me attend you home?"

"No; it would make the return walk too long."

"That can be no consideration, I beg you will let me go with you