She held him clasped with her white hands, and he saw that her passion made her incapable of understanding his words. She looked up to him whispering, “The last time--no, no--not the last time--not the last.” She was in his arms. He looked down upon her face, but he did not kiss it. He clenched his teeth as he unwound her arms from him. “One word may undo the curse that I have bound about your life,” he said. “Take the word, Daireen--the blessed word for you and me--_Forget_. Take it--it is my last blessing.” She was standing before him. She saw his face there, and she gave a cry, covering her own face with her hands, for the face she saw was that which had looked up to her from the black waters. Was he gone? From the river bank came the sounds of the native women, from the garden the hum of insects, and from the road the echo of a horse's hoofs passing gradually away. Was it a dream--not only this scene of broad motionless leaves, and these sounds she heard, but all the past months of her life? Hours went by leaving her motionless in that seat, and then came the sound of a horse--she sprang up. He was returning--it was a dream that had given her this agony of parting. “Daireen, child, what is the matter?” asked her father, whose horse it was she had heard. She looked up to his face. “Papa,” she said very gently, “it is over--all--all over--for ever--I have only you now.” “My dear little Dolly, tell me all that troubles you.” “Nothing troubles me now, papa. I have you near me, and I do not mind anything else.” “Tell me all, Daireen.” “I thought I loved some one else, papa--Oswin--Oswin Markham. But he is gone now, and I know you are with me. You will always be with me.” “My poor little Dolly,” said Colonel Gerald, “did he tell you that he loved you?” “He did, papa; but you must ask me no more. I shall never see him again!” “Perfectly charming!” said Mrs. Crawford, standing at the door. “The prettiest picture I have seen for a long time--father and daughter in each other's arms. But, my dear George, are you not yet dressed for the bishop's dinner? Daireen, my child, did you not say you would be ready when I would call for you? I am quite disappointed, and I would be angry only you look perfectly lovely this evening--like a beautiful lily. The dear bishop will be so charmed, for you are one of his favourites. Now do make haste, and I entreat of you to be particular with your shades of gray.” CHAPTER XL. ... A list of... resolutes For food and diet, to some enterprise That hath a stomach in't. My news shall be the fruit to that great feast. Why, let the stricken deer go weep, The hart ungalléd play; For some must watch, while some must sleep; Thus runs the world away.--_Hamlet_.