there by myself. And I stood and looked over
to Swayne's Oak and thought to myself if only it all could happen again,
and a dog might come with a rush and kiss me, and paw me with his dirty
paws! And then if you--_you_--_you_ were to come out of the little
coppice, and come to the rescue, all wet through and dripping, how I
would take you in my arms, and keep you, and not let you go to be shot.
I _would_. And I would say to you:--'I have found you in time, my
darling, I have found you, in time to save you. And now that I have
found you, I will keep you, like this. And you would look at me, and see
that it was not a forward girl, but me myself, your very own, come for
you.... I wonder what you would have said."

"I wonder what I should have said. I think I know, though. I should have
said that although a perfect stranger, I should like, please, to remain
in Heaven as long--I am quoting Mrs. Bailey--as it was no inconvenience.
I might have said, while in Heaven, that we were both under a
misapprehension, having taken for granted occurrences, to the
development of which our subsequent experiences were essential. But I
should have indulged the misapprehension...."

"Of course you would. Any man in his senses would...."

"I agree with you."

"Unless he was married or engaged or something."

"That might complicate matters. Morality is an unknown quantity.... But,
darling, let's drop talking nonsense...."

"No--don't let's! It's such sensible nonsense. Indeed, dearest, I saw it
all plain, as I stood there yesterday at Arthur's Bridge. I saw what it
had all meant. I did not know _at the time_, but I should have done so
if I had not been a fool. I did not see then why I stood watching you
till you were out of sight. But I do see now."

Adrian answered seriously, thoughtfully, as one who would fain get to
the heart of a mystery. "I knew quite well then--I am convinced of
it--why I turned, when I thought I was out of sight, to see if you were
still there. I turned because my heart was on fire--because my world was
suddenly filled with a girl I had exchanged fifty words with. I was not
unhappy before you dawned--only tranquil."

"What were you thinking of, just before you saw me, when you were wading
through the wet fern? I think _I_ was only thinking how wet the ferns
must have been. How little I thought then who the man was, with the
dog! You were only 'the man' then."

"And then--I got shot! I'm so glad. Just think, de