I saw the difference. But now you
have come to me and made me strong, I can do it. Everything has grown
clear to me again, and I see how you gave yourself to me--to save
me--when you did not dream of what was to be for you in the future; and
out of your giving has come the--little son, and he is yours. Wait!
Don't take me in your arms." She placed her hands on his breast and held
him from her.

"So it was just now--when you spoke as if people would understand me
better because of that little silver pot, showing I had somewhere in the
past a name and a family like theirs over there--I thought of 'Vanity
Fair,' and I hated it. I wish you had never seen it. There is, nor has
been, nothing on earth to make me possible for you, now--your
inheritance has come to you. I have a pride, too, David, a different
kind of pride from theirs. You loved me first, I know, as I was--just
me. It was a foolish love for you to have, David dear,--but I know it is
true; you could not have given yourself to save me else, and I like to
keep that thought of you in my heart, big and noble and true--that you
did love just me." She faltered, but still held him from her. "Do you
think I would not do all I can to keep from spoiling your life over
there?"

"Stop, stop. It is enough," he cried. In spite of herself, he took her
hands in his and drew her to him in penitent tenderness. "I'm no great
lord with wide distances between me and your mountain world here,
Cassandra; never think it. I'm tremendously near to the soul of things,
and the man of the wilderness is strong in me. One thing you have not
touched upon. Tell me, what did Frale say or do to you to so trouble you
and send you off?"

She stirred in his arms and waited, then murmured, "He pestered me."

"Explain. Did he come often?"

"Oh, no. He--I--he came one evening up to our cabin, and--I sent him off
and started next day."

"But explain, dearest. How did he act? What was it?"

She was silent, but drew her husband's head down and hid her face in his
neck. "There! Never mind, love. You needn't tell me if you don't wish."

"He kissed me and held me in his arms like they were iron bands--and I
hated it. He said you had gone away never to come back, and that the
whole mountain side knew it; and that he had a right to come and claim
my promise to him. Oh, David, David, this is the last. I have kept
nothing back from you now, nothing. My heart cried out for you--like I
heard you call--an