"Therefore the burden is sweeter than you deem possible," he answered, his face kindling with a sudden glow; "and therefore, an you will not suffer me to share and strive to lighten yours as hitherto, I must needs bear it alone and unaided, till like two solitary stars we each burn out drearily in our several courses, instead of sending forth the dual light of our mutual love--bright beams thrown into the darkness of other lives--as we have vowed to do. Think you not my unalterable love for you may not likewise be 'God's decree,' sweetheart? Besides, bethink you, I have too a burden laid on me by a forefather's sin. If your inheritance of suffering has come through the words of hate and passion spoken by the dying Ap Gryffyth, on me the penalty of those words may as justly be laid, as on you the penalty of Bryn Afon's treachery. Shall I see you suffer for the sins of others, and shrink from a like burden myself? Prithee, sweet Shanno, suffer no shadow evermore to come betwixt me and thee! I know that out of the nobleness of your heart you have spoken, but believe me, dear heart, you can inflict on me no more bitter pain than the knowledge of your continued distrust of my love's endurance!" "It is not mistrust of your love, Percival," she answered, "nor doubt of your faithfulness, that has made me speak. It was the sense of my duty towards you, which, having all this while slumbered, awoke suddenly within my breast and bade me no longer seek my own life's joy at the expense of yours. At least, beloved, an you will not now consent to break the chain that binds us, you will promise me this--that should any other love e'er steal unawares into your heart, and this present sweet link betwixt us gall you with its bonds, you will frankly open your heart to me as I now have to you, and suffer me to give to another that blessing with which I would fain have seen my own life crowned!" Percival looked into the dark eyes which strove to meet his fearlessly, yet revealed to his searching gaze but too clearly the bitter sacrifice of self such words demanded, and his own filled with tears. "An it will content you, sweetheart," he answered, "I will make that promise, knowing full well the while that it is one ever impossible of fulfilment. Oh, Primrose, rest content, I pray you, or my heart will break to think this thought can longer dwell in your mind! Believe me, the links that bind us will ever be to me of brightest gold--of gold purified seven times in the fire of our mutual suffering, and which death itself cannot sever! Yes, let me hold you yet once more close to this heart, which beats for you alone, and in these arms, which shall ever be your faithful shelter, ere we kneel again awhile before yon altar, and pray for strength to bear with patience the outward severance of our inwardly united lives." CHAPTER XXXVIII. MASTER TAYLOR AT CRAIG ARTHUR.