etched hands. "You poor little
frightened mouse!" he said. "What is it that's troubling you? Do you
think I wouldn't make you happy?"

"I think you'd try," she said dubiously.

For a few seconds she hung back, hesitating; then swiftly, almost with
the gesture of one who casts aside a burden, she threw out her trembling
hands and thrust them into his. He took them and held them fast, drawing
them gently to him till he had them against his heart. "I would try,
sweetheart," he said softly.

"Would you?" whispered Toby. "Would you?"

She went nearer to him; he could feel her trembling from head to foot.

"You think I wouldn't succeed?" he asked her tenderly. "You think I'd
make you sorry?"

"I don't know," she answered quiveringly. "I--I'm thinking most of you."

"Wondering whether it would be good for me to have my heart's desire?"
jested Bunny softly. "Think it would be too much for me; what, darling?"

"No,--no!" said Toby. "Not that! Only wondering if you are wanting the
right thing--wondering if the thing you call your heart's desire will
bring you happiness. It--it doesn't always, you know, Bunny. Life is like
that."

Her voice sank a little.

"What do you know about life?" he said.

She shook her head, her face downcast. "Oh, too much--too much!" she
said.

Bunny sat motionless for a moment or two, but his hold was strong and
comforting. At length very gently he began to draw her nearer.

He almost expected her to resist him, but she did not. As he drew her,
she yielded, till with a sob she suffered herself to be drawn close into
his arms. He had her on the thwart beside him, her face hidden against
his shoulder. He laid his cheek down upon her hair and sat silent.

Toby was sobbing a little, and he patted her shoulder soothingly, but he
did not speak until with a quivering sigh she relaxed against him and was
still.

Then, in a whisper, "Toby mavourneen," he said, "I'm going to tell you
something that's come to me lately--something I've guessed. You needn't
answer me. I don't want you to answer me--only to know that I know.
There's another fellow in your heart, and he's got a bigger place than I
have--at present. No, don't tremble, darling! It's all right. I know--I
know. He's the sort that women simply can't keep out. He's a fine chap
too, and I'm fond of him--always have been. But look here, mavourneen,
you're not going to break your precious little heart over him; you know
quite well it's no us