“That reproach comes with an ill grace from your lips,” she retorted. “Did I not walk with you, and talk with you, sir, this very afternoon for an hour by the clock?” “It will be our last walk,” said Humphrey, gloomily. “What do you mean?” she asked, and somehow she dropped her thread and let the wheel stand idle. “I am going away to-morrow, with Dr. Harford,” said Humphrey, intently watching the little girlish face, and hailing with great delight the look of trouble that dawned in it. “But why?” she faltered. “It is because I love you that I go,” he said, eagerly. “Because I must move heaven and earth to get into favour with your guardian. Helena, tell me, could you ever wed one who, till this war ends, is like to be a half-ruined man? I am ashamed to propose such a marriage, but I love you with my whole heart. We are alike homeless and forlorn. Give me the right to shield and protect you, and I will spend my life in making you happy.” She sat quite silent, with drooped head. “Can you not trust one that so loves you?” pleaded Humphrey, realising now that this little gentle maid was not, after all, to prove an easy conquest. She lifted her head for a minute, and looked shyly, yet searchingly into his eyes. There was none of the fierce passion that had terrified her in Norton’s gaze, nor was there the quiet friendliness she had often seen in Gabriel’s hazel eyes; surely this was the love that would satisfy her! And yet--yet--the pity of it!--could she honestly say she loved him? All at once she hid her face and burst into tears. “Helena!” he cried, in dismay, kneeling beside her, “what have I done? What have I said to grieve you?” “Oh, I don’t know what to do!” she sobbed. “If my father were but here!” He drew down one of her hands, and held it in his tenderly. “Tell me about him,” he said. And Helena poured out all her pent-up grief, and did not draw away her hand when now and again he kissed it. “Tell me,” said Humphrey, “had your father still been here, do you think he would have trusted you to me?” “Yes,” said little Nell, with a sob. “Anyone would trust you. It was not you that I doubted.” “What, then, my beloved?” “It was whether I loved you--enough.” “Suppose,” said Humphrey, “I join Sir William Waller’s force when Gabriel Harford returns, and then come back in a year and ask you again. By that time you may know your own mind.” But at this suggestion Nell had fresh light thrown on her innermost heart. “Oh, no,” she cried, clinging to his hand. “I could not bear that you should go away for a year. They would kill you, as they killed my father.” “And you would care a little?” said Humphrey, smiling. “Perhaps, after all, you do begin even now to love me.” She did not reply, but she did not resist him when he clasped his arms around her, and drawing the fair little head on to his shoulder covered it with kisses.