to say all that. If you adopt that tone, I shall have to begin and
tell you how deeply grateful I am, how much I owe you, how I long to
do something to--"

"Oh! well. Come, now! if you go on in that way, I am shut up at
once."

He relapsed into silence. After a few minutes he spoke again.

"Talbot," said he, in a strange tone, much softer than his usual
voice.

"Well?" said Miss Talbot, gently.

"As I have dropped the 'Miss,' have you any objections to drop the
'Mister,' and address me by the simple and unconventional name of
'Brooke?' You see, it's very important for us, in our circumstances,
to cultivate this seeming familiarity. If you were really a young
priest, and I were really your friend and travelling companion, we
should address one another in this simple fashion."

"I have no objection whatever," said Miss Talbot, "and I do not see
why you should take such pains to explain. It is enough for you to
ask. Whatever you say I will do."

"Say 'Brooke,' then."

"Brooke," said Miss Talbot, with a little shyness.

"And now, Talbot, I intend to use your surname only in speaking to
you, and I hope that you will do the same with me. This is merely for
practice."

"Certainly, Brooke."

The name came a little awkwardly at first, but after a little further
conversation this difficulty passed away, and the two addressed one
another quite naturally in this simple fashion. And now, as Brooke
has chosen this name for Miss Talbot, I also will drop the "Miss,"
and call her henceforth simply "Talbot."

Brooke made Talbot lie down all the rest of the day, so as to sleep,
if possible, and, at any rate, to lay up a good stock of strength for
the formidable work of the approaching night. With her usual
considerateness and docility, Talbot obeyed; and although she did not
sleep, she certainly obtained an amount of rest of which she stood in
great need.

At length the evening came, and the two ate their repast, after which
Brooke secreted the remainder of the provisions in the tower by way
of precaution. It was not necessary, he said, to carry that load, and
if they were forced to return it would be there for their use.

They started a little after sunset. An hour's walk brought them to
the road, at the spot where they had first met, after which they
turned toward the place where Brooke had left the train on the
previous day. Their pace was a moderate one, for the whole night was
before them, and Brooke was anxious