is no longer in her or your power to take back the
gift, since she is fully mine, I will charge you with the office of
conducting her hither. I grant it you as a favour. Will you go?"

"Go! I will fly!" I exclaimed, in an ecstasy of joy, "on pinions swifter
than the wind. Not the lingering of an instant will I bear. Look! one,
two, three--thirty minutes after nine. I will reach Curling's gate by
the morn's dawn. I will put my girl into a chaise, and by noon she
shall throw herself into the arms of her sister. But first, shall I not,
in some way, manifest my gratitude?"

My senses were bewildered, and I knew not what I did. I intended to
kneel, as to my mother or my deity; but, instead of that, I clasped her
in my arms, and kissed her lips fervently. I stayed not to discover the
effects of this insanity, but left the room and the house, and, calling
for a moment at Stevens's, left word with the servant, my friend being
gone abroad, that I should not return till the morrow.

Never was a lighter heart, a gayety more overflowing and more buoyant,
than mine. All cold from a boisterous night, at a chilly season, all
weariness from a rugged and miry road, were charmed away. I might have
ridden; but I could not brook delay, even the delay of inquiring for and
equipping a horse. I might thus have saved myself fatigue, and have lost
no time; but my mind was in too great a tumult for deliberation and
forecast. I saw nothing but the image of my girl, whom my tidings would
render happy.

The way was longer than my fond imagination had foreseen. I did not
reach Curling's till an hour after sunrise. The distance was full
thirty-five miles. As I hastened up the green lane leading to the house,
I spied my Bess passing through a covered way, between the dwelling and
kitchen. I caught her eye. She stopped and held up her hands, and then
ran into my arms.

"What means my girl? Why this catching of the breath? Why this sobbing?
Look at me, my love. It is Arthur,--he who has treated you with
forgetfulness, neglect, and cruelty."

"Oh, do not," she replied, hiding her face with her hand. "One single
reproach, added to my own, will kill me. That foolish, wicked letter--I
could tear my fingers for writing it."

"But," said I, "I will kiss them;" and put them to my lips. "They have
told me the wishes of my girl. They have enabled me to gratify her
wishes. I have come to carry thee this very moment to town."

"Lord bless me, Arthur," sa