She came close to his side and once more took his arm. 'Yes,' she said, speaking rapidly, 'yes, to feel that a thing is done and cannot be undone. It is so terrible to wait, Geoffrey; something might happen--you might die, or----Geoffrey, I wish it were done.' 'You wish what were done?' demanded he, looking down at her, while his heart gave a bound. She made no other reply than to meet his eyes intently, the colour gradually overspreading her face. 'That we were married?' he asked at length, in a low tone. She gave a sudden sigh; then a smile trembled across her lips for a moment, but without affecting the earnestness of her brow. 'Then something has happened?' said Geoffrey, heavily and gravely. 'Tell me.' 'I have told you. What more can I say? I am afraid: I want to be safe!' 'I would have married you six months ago if you would have had me,' said Geoffrey, almost coldly; for he dreaded lest passion should hurry him on to do something which, while for the moment satisfying Ellice, might in the end lead her to reproach him. It was difficult to think clearly at such a juncture, and yet something must be thought and said at once, for no lover can endure to seem in need of stimulus from his mistress. 'Does your father know of this?' he asked. 'No; he would prevent it,' she answered excitedly. 'Geoffrey, do not stop to think whether this is wise or foolish. Do not ask me.... We are together. This is the time.' 'But unless we have a special licence--and that is impossible!' 'Impossible?' 'Ellice--you are not of age.' She turned very pale, and slowly let go his arm. 'You should not have thought of that--you do not love me.' She turned away, and her hands fell to her sides. Geoffrey made no reply; for, man of the world and strong though he was, he was trembling all over, and could not trust his voice to speak. 'Good-bye,' said Ellice presently, still keeping her face averted. 'Look at me, my girl!' he exclaimed, taking hold of her wrist: and at his touch she did look up at him for a moment with a singular expression, half wayward and half winning, which he remembered vividly for a long time afterwards. He continued: 'We cannot break the law. If we love each other we can marry in three weeks----' She raised her other hand quickly, and he stopped. After a pause she said, 'Geoffrey, look at me--look in my eyes, dear. I love you--not in three weeks, but--now.' The tone in which the words were spoken made Geoffrey feel as if his ordinary life were taken away from him, and a new, perverted, delirious life put in its place. Instinctively, he sought self-defence in incredulity; but it was in vain--there was no mistaking what her eyes said, whatever construction might be forced upon her words. For an instant, a fire sprang up in his own eyes; but then, with a savage effort of the will, he dropped her wrist and said huskily: 'No!'