'Hush! Heartsease, my darling--hush! you distress me,' soothing her with the utmost tenderness. 'We will talk of this again; you shall not be hampered or vexed by me. I am not so selfish as that, Polly.' 'No, you are goodness itself,' she replied, remorsefully; and now she kissed his hand--oh, so gratefully. 'But you must never say that again--never--never.' 'What?' 'That I do not love you; it is not the truth; it cannot be, you know. You do not think it?' looking up fearfully into his face. 'I think you love me a little,' he answered, lightly--too lightly, Mildred thought, for the gloomy look had not passed away from his eyes. 'He is disappointed; he thinks as I do, that perfect love ought to cast out fear,' she said to herself. But whatever were his thoughts, he did not give utterance to them, but only seemed bent on soothing Polly's agitation. When he had succeeded, he sent her away, to get rid of all traces of tears, as he said, but as the door closed on her, Mildred noticed a weary look crossed his face. How her heart yearned to comfort him! 'Right or wrong, I suppose I must abide by her decision, he said at last, speaking more to himself than to her. That roused her. 'I do not think so,' she returned, speaking with her old energy. 'Give her a little time to get used to the idea, and then speak to her again. The thought of Christmas has startled her. Perhaps Easter would frighten her less.' 'That is just it. Why should it frighten her?' he returned, doubtfully. 'She has known me now for three years. I am no stranger to her; she has always been fond of me; she has told me so over and over again. No,' he continued, decidedly, 'I will not press her to come till she wishes it. I am no boy that cannot bear a disappointment. I ought to be used to loneliness by this time.' 'No, no; she shall not treat you so, Dr. Heriot. I will not have it. I--some one will prevent it; you shall not be left lonely for another year--you, so good and so unselfish.' But here Mildred's excitement failed; a curious numb feeling crept over her; she fancied she saw a surprised look on Dr. Heriot's face, that he uttered an exclamation of concern, and then she knew no more. CHAPTER XXVII COOP KERNAN HOLE 'The great and terrible Land Of wilderness and drought Lies in the shadows behind me-- For the Lord hath brought me out. 'The great and terrible river I stood that night to view Lies in the shadows before me-- But the Lord will bear me through.'--Poems by R. M. Mildred felt a little giddy and confused when she opened her eyes. 'Is anything the matter? I suppose I have been a little faint; but it is nothing,' she said, feebly. Her head was on a soft pillow; her face was wet with cold, fragrant waters; Polly was hanging over her with a distressed expression; Dr. Heriot's hand was on her wrist.