er fast, "if you were only poor. If this
cursed money----"

"Never mind the money. What do I care whether I am rich or poor? I care
only for you. If you go away, I shall be the poorest wretch on earth!"

"My angel! My own darling girl!"

"No!" with a little sob. "Say, 'My own darling wife!'"

"My own darling wife!" replies he, conquered.

"Then why don't you kiss me?" says Miss Massereene, softly, her face
dangerously close to his; and Tedcastle, stooping, forges the last link
that binds him to her forever.

"Ah!" says Molly, presently, laughing gayly, although the tears still
lie wet upon her cheeks, "did you imagine for one instant you could
escape _me_? At first I was so angry I almost determined to let
you go,--as punishment; but afterward"--mischievously--"I began to
think how unhappy you would be, and I relented."

"Then I suppose I must now buy you another ring for this dear little
finger," says he, smiling, and pressing it to his lips.

"No,"--running her hand into her pocket, "at least, not an engagement
ring. You may get me any other kind you like, because I am fond of
rings; but I shall have no betrothal ring but the first you gave me.
Look,"--drawing out a little case, and opening it until he sees within
the original diamonds--his first gift to her--lying gleaming in their
rich new setting. "These are yours; I saved them from the fire that day
you behaved so rudely to them, and have had them reset."

"You rescued them?" he asks, amazed.

"At the risk of burning my fingers: so you may guess how I valued them.
Now they are purified, and you must never get into such a naughty
temper again. Promise."

"I promise faithfully."

"Now I shall wear it again," says Molly, regarding her ring lovingly,
"under happier--oh, how much happier--circumstances. Put it on, Teddy,
and say after me, 'Darling Molly, pardon me for having compelled you to
ask my hand in marriage!'"

"I will not,"--laughing.

"You must. You are my property now, and must do as I bid you. So you
may as well begin at once. Say it, sir, directly!"

He says it.

"Now you know what a horrible hen-pecking there will be for you in the
future. I shall rule you with a rod of iron."

"And I shall hug my chains."

"Think what a life I am condemning you to. Are you not frightened? And
all because--I cannot do without you. Oh, Teddy," cries Molly Bawn,
suddenly, and without a word of warning, bursting into a passion of
tears, and flinging h