an. Yet she had read of poets, artists, and
musicians, who had misused their wives, been fond of money, and had
perhaps been drunkards. The Angel of Light must have the gifts, and
must certainly be without the vices.

The next day was Sunday and they all went to church. In the afternoon
they, as many of them as pleased, were to walk as far as Gobblegoose
Wood, which was only three miles from the house. They could not hunt
and therefore they must go to the very scene of the late contest and
again discuss it there. Sir Harry and the Captain would walk and
so would Ayala and Nina and some others. Lord Rufford did not like
walking, and Lady Rufford would stay at home to console him. Ayala
used her little wiles to keep herself in close company with Nina; but
the Colonel's wiles were more effective;--and then, perhaps, Nina
assisted the Colonel rather than Ayala. It came to pass that before
they had left Gobblegoose Wood Ayala and the Colonel were together.
When it was so he did not beat about the bush for a moment longer. He
had fixed his opportunity for himself and he put it to use at once.
"Ayala," he said, "am I to have any other answer?"

"What answer?"

"Nay, my dearest,--my own, own dearest as I fain would have you,--who
shall say what answer but you? Ayala, you know that I love you!"

"I thought you had given it up."

"Given it up. Never,--never! Does a man give up his joy,--the pride
of his life,--the one only delight on which his heart has set itself!
No, my darling, I have not given it up. Because you would not have it
as I wished when I first spoke to you, I have not gone on troubling
you. I thought I would wait till you were used again to the look of
me, and to my voice. I shall never give it up, Ayala. When you came
into the room that night with your new frock on--" Then he paused,
and she glanced round upon him, and saw that a tear again was in his
eye. "When you came in and curtseyed to Sir Harry I could hardly keep
within myself because I thought you were so beautiful."

"It was the new gown which he had given me."

"No, my pet;--no! You may add a grace to a dress, but it can do but
little for you. It was the little motion, the little word, the light
in your eye! It twinkles at me sometimes when you glance about, so
that I do not know whether it is meant for me or not. I fear that it
is never meant for me."

"It is meant for nothing," said Ayala.

"And yet it goes into my very bosom. When you were