n!" repeated Naomi. "Did you see him?"

"Iss, I ded."

"Tell me all about it, Eli--tell me."

"Wait till we git vew miles vurder on, then I tell 'ee everything."

So we rode on for several miles in silence, save that Naomi asked me
many times if I were sure I were not hurt, and assured me that she was
perfectly well and happy. And this filled my heart with gladness, for I
knew by her questions that the dear maid loved me, and felt no fear when
I was with her. This to me was wonderful, for who was I that she should
love me? Was I not homeless and penniless? And had not the Tresidders
beaten me again and again? Ah! but no one can describe the joy that
surged within me, for the greater my unworthiness, the more happiness
did the knowledge of her love give. In many respects we were strangers,
for we had met only a few times, as all readers of this story know; but
love laughs at the ways of men, and as she told me afterward, although
she dared not tell me so when I saw her in Pennington kitchen or in
Falmouth Town, she loved me even in my degradation and poverty.

That long ride through the dark night, even although I had not slept the
night before, did not fatigue me at all. I was strengthened by her
presence; I was inspired by the object I had in view. Sometimes as I
rode along I had to reach forth my hand and take hers in mine to assure
myself that I was not dreaming. Everything seemed too good to be true.
For many weary weeks my mind and heart had been torn with anxiety
concerning her, and during my days in prison I was like a lion in his
cage. I had thought of her as loving Nick Tresidder and as marrying him;
then I had imagined her as being persecuted by them because she would
not yield to their wishes. I had seen the Tresidders planning to get her
property, and using every cunning device to make her their tool. Then I
had seen her pleading to be sent to a convent, and afterward dying of a
broken heart. Ay, I had heard a priest only the previous day telling me
of her death, while my heart had seemed to turn to ice covered with
lead, so heavy and cold was it. And now to see my loved one by my side;
ay, to remember that while we had sat in the bower she had confessed her
love for me, while her lips had joyfully pressed mine, was joy beyond
words.

Presently, however, I began to see many difficulties, for I determined
that Naomi should have her rights, and that she should not be robbed as
I had been robbed. Besides,