, can we not?' Her tone grew softer and she drew a little closer to
his side with a slightly nestling motion, as she went on, 'May I be sure
that you will not think unkindly of me when I am absent from your sight,
and not begrudge me any little pleasure because you are not there to
share it with me?'

'May you! Can you ask it?... As for me, I shall have no pleasure to be
begrudged or otherwise. The only pleasure I have is, as you well know,
in you. When you are with me, I am happy: when you are away, I take no
pleasure in anything.'

'I don't deserve it. I have no right to disturb you so,' she said, very
gently. 'But I have given you some pleasure, have I not? A little more
pleasure than pain, perhaps?'

'You have, and yet.... But I don't accuse you, dearest. Yes, you have
given me pleasure. One truly pleasant time was when we stood together
in the summer-house on the evening of the garden-party, and you said you
liked me to love you.'

'Yes, it was a pleasant time,' she returned thoughtfully. 'How the rain
came down, and formed a gauze between us and the dancers, did it not;
and how afraid we were--at least I was--lest anybody should discover us
there, and how quickly I ran in after the rain was over!'

'Yes', said Somerset, 'I remember it. But no harm came of it to you....
And perhaps no good will come of it to me.'

'Do not be premature in your conclusions, sir,' she said archly. 'If you
really do feel for me only half what you say, we shall--you will make
good come of it--in some way or other.'

'Dear Paula--now I believe you, and can bear anything.'

'Then we will say no more; because, as you recollect, we agreed not to
go too far. No expostulations, for we are going to be practical young
people; besides, I won't listen if you utter them. I simply echo your
words, and say I, too, believe you. Now I must go. Have faith in me, and
don't magnify trifles light as air.'

'I THINK I understand you. And if I do, it will make a great difference
in my conduct. You will have no cause to complain.'

'Then you must not understand me so much as to make much difference; for
your conduct as my architect is perfect. But I must not linger longer,
though I wished you to know this news from my very own lips.'

'Bless you for it! When do you leave?'

'The day after to-morrow.'

'So early? Does your uncle guess anything? Do you wish him to be told
just yet?'

'Yes, to the first; no, to the second.'

'I may write to y