ring in my ears; 'I am going
to belong to Raby all my life long; I will never leave him, never.'
Well, it has come true, love; you are mine now."

"Yes," she whispered, leaning her forehead against him, "you will
never be able to got rid of me; and oh"--her voice trembling--"the
rest of knowing that it will never be my duty to leave you."

He laughed at that, but something glistened in his eyes too. "No, my
wild bird; no more flights for you--I have you safely now; you are
bound to me by this"--touching the little circlet of gold upon the
slender finger. "Now, my darling--my wife of an hour, I want you to
make me a promise; I ask it of your love, Crystal. If a shadow--even
the very faintest shadow, cross your spirit; if one accusing thought
seems to stand between your soul and mine; one doubt or fear that,
like the cloud no bigger than a man's hand, might rise and spread into
the blackness of tempest, will you come and tell it to me?"

"Oh, Raby, do not ask me."

"But I do ask it, love, and I ask it in my twofold character of priest
and husband, and it is the first request your husband makes you. Come,
do not hesitate. You have given me yourself; now, with sweet
generosity, promise me this, that you will share with me every doubt
and fear that disturbs you?"

"Will you not let me try to conquer the feeling alone first, and then
come to you?"

"No, I would not undertake the responsibility; I know you too well,
darling. Come, I thought you promised something that sounded like
obedience just now."

"Ah, you are laughing at me. But this is no light matter, Raby; it
means that I am to burden you with all my foolish doubts and
fancies--that I am never to keep my wrong feelings to myself."

"Promise!" was his only answer, in a very persuasive voice.

"Yes, I will promise," hiding her face on his shoulder; "but it will
be your own fault if I am ever a trouble to you. Oh, Raby, may I
always tell you everything; will you help me to be good, and to fight
against myself?"

"We will help each other," he answered, stroking her soft hair; "there
shall never be a shadow on the one that the other will not share--half
the shadow and half the sunshine; and always the Divine goodness over
us. That shall be our married life, Crystal."

CHAPTER XXXVI.

SIR HUGH'S REPENTANCE.

And by comparison I see
The majesty of matron grace,
And learn how pure, how fair can be
My own wife's face:

Pure with all fa