have found me out so
soon."

"It needs but little sharpness to guess that when two young folk are
thrown much together and find each other agreeable, they're likely to
fall in love."

Bax's voice sank to its deepest tones; he felt that his hopes had now
received their deathblow, and in spite of himself he faltered. With a
mighty effort he crushed down the feeling, and continued in a tone of
forced gaiety--

"Come, I'm rejoiced at your good luck, my boy; she's one of a thousand,
Guy."

"So she is," said Guy, "but I'm not so sure of my good luck as you seem
to be; for I have not yet ventured to speak to her on the subject of
love."

"No?" exclaimed Bax in surprise, "that's strange."

"Why so?" said Guy.

"Because you've had lots of time and opportunity, lad."

"True," said Guy, "I have had enough of both, but some folk are not so
bold and prompt as others in this curious matter of love."

"Ah, very true," observed Bax, "some men do take more time than others,
and yet it seems to me that there has been time enough for a sharp
fellow like you to have settled that question. However, I've no doubt
myself of the fact that she loves you, Guy, and I do call that uncommon
good luck."

"Well, it may seem a vain thing to say, but I do fancy that she likes me
a bit," said the other, in a half jocular tone.

The two friends refrained from mentioning the name of the fair one. The
heart and mind of each was filled with one object, but each felt a
strange disinclination to mention her name.

"But it seems to me," continued Guy, "that instead of wanting to tell me
something, as you said, when you brought me out for a walk in this
dreary waste of furze and sand at such a time of night, your real object
was to pump me!"

"Not so," replied Bax, in a tone so deep and sad as to surprise his
friend; "I brought you here because the lonely place accords with my
feelings to-night. I have made up my mind to go to Australia."

Guy stopped abruptly. "You jest, Bax," said he.

"I am in earnest," replied the other, "and since I have forced myself
into your confidence, I think it but fair to give you mine. The cause
of my going is love! Yes, Guy, I too am in love, but alas! my love is
not returned; it is hopeless."

"Say not so," began Guy, earnestly; but his companion went on without
noticing the interruption.

"The case is a peculiar one," said he. "I have known the sweet girl
long enough to know that she does not love