e tree, bearing at wondrous height
a mighty wealth of branches. A bank of soft, green turf encircled its
roots, and they sat down in the trembling shadows. It was in the midst
of the herb garden; beds of mint and thyme, rosemary and marjoram,
basil, lavender, and other fragrant plants were around, and close at
hand a little city of straw skeps peopled by golden brown bees; From
these skeps came a delicious aroma of riced flowers and virgin wax. It
was a new Garden of Eden, in which life was sweet as perfume and pure as
prayer. Nothing stirred the green, sunny afternoon but the murmur of the
bees, and the sleepy twittering of the birds in the plane branches. An
inexpressible peace swept like the breath of heaven through the odorous
places. They sat down sighing for very happiness. The silence became too
eloquent. At length it was almost unendurable, and Ethel said softly:

"How still it is!"

Tyrrel looked at her steadily with beaming eyes. Then he took from his
pocket a little purse of woven gold and opal-tinted beads, and held it
in his open hand for her to see, watching the bright blush that spread
over her face, and the faint, glad smile that parted her lips.

"You understand?"

"Yes. It is mine."

"It was yours. It is now mine."

"How did you get it?"

"I bought it from the old man you gave it to."

"Oh! Then you know him? How is that?"

"The hotel people sent a porter home with him lest he should be robbed.
Next day I made inquiries, and this porter told me where he lived. I
went there and bought this purse from him. I knew some day it would
bring me to you. I have carried it over my heart ever since."

"So you noticed me?"

"I saw you all the time I was singing. I have never forgotten you since
that hour."

"What made you sing?"

"Compassion, fate, an urgent impulse; perhaps, indeed, your piteous
face--I saw it first."

"Really?"

"I saw it first. I saw it all the time I was singing. When you dropped
this purse my soul met yours in a moment's greeting. It was a promise.
I knew I should meet you again. I have loved you ever since. I wanted
to tell you so the hour we met. It has been hard to keep my secret so
long."

"It was my secret also."

"I love you beyond all words. My life is in your hands. You can make me
the gladdest of mortals. You can send me away forever."

"Oh, no, I could not! I could not do that!" The rest escapes words; but
thus it was that on this day of days these two came