“Innocence! great God! He shall die the death----” “Ah, you do not understand,” she hastily interrupted. “I mean that I thought all men were brave, honorable in everything, business as well as socially; but he was not a brave man; it was a business transaction in which he did me ill. I had measured him by you.” This was a startling relief to him: “Thank heaven I was mistaken in your expression of ‘death of innocence.’ But you humiliate, crush me, with a sense of my own unworthiness, to say I have been your standard. What made me listen to idle gossip of the Club--why did I act a brute, a coward?” his lips moved nervously. “Dearest, show yourself now magnanimous, forgive it all, and forget it. You are so brave and strong--so beautiful--take me back.” “Was it I who sent you away?” “Oh! do you not see how humiliating are these reminders? I have confessed my wrong.” “But would I not still be a burden; you said I could not bear poverty?” she asked. He looked up with an expression of painful surprise: “Don’t, don’t! I know now that love is the crown and fulfillment of all earthly good. Have you quit caring for me? I infer as much.” Hastening to undo the effect of her last words, she said: “Forgive me, Robert, what need I say? You read my utmost thoughts now as always. I have not changed towards you.” His sad expression gave place to exquisite joy and adoration. “I am grateful for the blessing of a good woman’s love.” They passed out of the gate, down through the browning woods, and all things were now as they, of old, had been. The bracing, cool October air was like rare old wine; it made their flagging pulses beat full and strong. In such an atmosphere, hand in hand with such a companion--a woman so sweet, so young, so pure--Robert could not fail to feel the fires of love burn brighter and brighter. Her forgiveness was spoken from her very soul. Rarely has a wave of happiness so illumined a woman’s face as when she said, “I love you so now, I have never understood you before.” There was a degree of love on her part that was veritable worship--her nature could do nothing by halves. Her soul was so thrilled by this surcharged enthusiasm, it could hold no more. There is a supreme height beyond which no joy can carry one, and this height Cherokee had attained. The restraint of her will was overthrown for the moment, and now the pent-up passion of her heart swept on as a mountain torrent: “Oh, my dearest love, how have I lived until now? What a lovely place this world is with you--you alone. Kiss me! kiss me!” She grasped his hand with sudden tightness, until his ring cut its seal into the flesh. He bent over her head, put her soft lips to his, and folded her in his arms. “Sweetheart, I shall never go away without you.”