"All the time, the sun was sending ever so many sloping ladders of light down through the trees, for there was a little mist rising that afternoon; and I felt as if they were the same kind of ladder that Jacob saw, inviting a man to climb up to the light and peace of God. I felt as if upon them invisible angels were going up and down all through the summer wood, and that the angels must love our woods as we love their skies. And amidst the trees and the ladders of ether, we walked, and I talked, and Lizzie listened to all I had to say, without uttering a syllable till I had finished. "At length, having disclosed my whole bondage and grief, I ended with the question: "'Now, what is to be done?' "She looked up in my face with those eyes of truth, and said: "'That money must be paid, Mr. Armstrong.' "'But how?' I responded, in despair. "She did not seem to heed my question, but she really answered it. "'And, if I were you, I would do no more duty till it was paid.' "Here was decision with a vengeance. It was more than I had bargained for. I was dumb. A moment's reflection, however, showed me that she was perfectly right--that what I had called _decision with a vengeance_, was merely the utterance of a child's perception of the true way to walk in. "Still I was silent; for long vistas of duty, and loss, and painful action and effort opened before me. At length I said: "'You are quite right, Miss Lizzie.' "'I wish I could pay it for you,' she rejoined, looking up in my face with an expression of still tenderness, while the tears clouded her eyes just as clouds of a deeper grey come over the grey depths of some summer skies. "'But you can help me to pay it.' "'How?' "'Love me,' I said, and no more. I could not. "The only answer she made, was to look up at me once more, then stop, and, turning towards me, draw herself gently against my side, as she held my arm. It was enough--was it not? "_Love me_, I said, and she did love me; and she's down stairs, as I told you; and I think she is not unhappy." "But you're not going to stop there," I said. "No, I'm not.--That very evening I told the vicar that I must go. He pressed for my reasons; but I managed to avoid giving a direct answer. I begged him to set me at liberty as soon as possible, meaning, when he should have provided himself with a substitute. But he took offence at last, and told me I might go when I pleased; for he was quite able to perform the duties himself. After this, I felt it would be unpleasant for him as well as for me, if I remained, and so I took him at his word. And right glad I was not to have to preach any more to Lizzie. It was time for me to act instead of talk.