ath.

"And you kissed me. I have a right to know, for I missed them all--"

"I did, I did," she cried vehemently. "A hundred times I kissed you. I
had called my promise back from God--and I dared it. I wasn't ashamed. I
would have done it if all the mountain side had been there to see--but
afterwards--when that strange doctor from Farington came, and I knew he
must uncover you and find my torn dress around you--somehow, then I felt
I didn't want for him to look at me, and I was glad to go away."

"Do you want to know what he said when he saw it? 'Whoever did this kept
you alive, young man.' So you see how you are my beautiful bringer of
good. You are--Oh, I have only one arm now. I am at a disadvantage. When
I can stand on my feet, I will pay them all back--those kisses you threw
away on me then. We shan't need words then, dearest. I'll teach you the
sweet lesson. Your arms tremble; they are tired, dear. Could you let
your head rest here and sleep as you did the other day? To think how I
woke and found you beside me sleeping--"

"Let me go now. I have things I ought to do for you."

"Not yet. I have things I must say to you."

"Please, Doctor Thryng."

"My name is David. You must call me by it."

"Please, Doctor David, let me go."

"Why?"

"To warm some milk. I brought it up for you."

"Pity we must eat to live. Then if I let you take your arms away, will
you come back to me?"

"Yes. I'll bring the milk."

"There, go. I'm giving you your own way because I know I will recover
the sooner the strength I have lost. A man flat on his back, with but
one arm free, is no good."

"But you don't let me go."

"Listen, Cassandra. You brought me back to life. Do you know what for?
What did your father tell you? That one should be sent for you? It is I,
dearest. From away over on the other side of the earth, I have come for
you. We fought like beasts--Frale and I. I had given you
up--you--Cassandra; had said in my heart, 'I will go away and leave her
to the one she has chosen, if that be right,' and even at that moment,
Frale shot me and sprang upon me, and I fought. I was glad the chance
was given me there in the wilderness in that old and primitive way, to
settle it and win you.

"I put all the force and strength of my body into it, and more; all the
strength of my love for you. It was with that in my heart, we clinched.
I said I will fight to the death for her. She shall be mine whether I
live or die. Stop cry