The Forsythes went away the next morning. Perhaps it was the early start which prevented Dick from seeing Gifford again, and finishing the so summarily ended quarrel, or possibly it was recollection of the weight of Gifford Woodhouse's hand. Yet he thought he had found a means of revenge. In spite of the rain, he had gone to the rectory. Helen was writing to her husband, and Dr. Howe was reading. "You'll have to see him in the parlor, Lois," her father said, looking at her over his paper, as Sally announced Mr. Forsythe. "Oh, father!" she said. "Nonsense," replied the rector impatiently, "you know him well enough to receive him alone. I can't be interrupted. Run along, child." "Will you come in, Helen, dear?" she pleaded. "Yes," Helen said, glancing at her with absent eyes; it was hard to leave the intricacies of a theological argument to think of a girl's lover. "I'll come soon." But in a letter to John she forgot every one else, and when Lois went tremblingly out of the room both the rector and his niece lost themselves in their own interests. "Good-evening, Miss Lois," Dick said, coming towards her with extended hand. She could hardly hear her answer for her beating heart. "I came to say good-by," he went on, his bright blue eyes fastened angrily upon her; but she did not see him. "You go to-morrow?" she faltered. "Yes," he answered; "but I could not leave Ashurst without--one more look at the rectory." Lois did not speak. Oh, why did not Helen come? "A different scene this from that night after the dinner party," Dick thought, looking at her downcast eyes and trembling hands with cruel exultation in his face, "If I cared!" "How I have adored Ashurst!" he said slowly, wondering how far it would be safe to go. "I have been very happy here. I hope I shall be still happier, Lois?" Still she did not answer, but she pressed her hands hard together. Dick looked at her critically. "When I come again,--oh, when I come again,--then, if you have not forgotten me--Tell me you will not forget me, until I come again?" Lois shook her head. Dick had drawn her to a seat, and his eager face was close to hers. "I said good-by to the rector this afternoon," he said, "but I felt I must see you again, alone." Lois was silent. "I wonder if you know," he went on, "how often I shall think of Ashurst, and of you?" He had possessed himself of her hand, which was cold and rigid, but lay passively in his. She had turned her face away from him, and in a stunned, helpless way was waiting for the question which seemed on his lips. "And you know what my thoughts will be," he said meaningly. "You make Ashurst beautiful." He saw the color, which had rushed to her face when he had begun to talk, fade slowly; even her lips were white. But she never looked at him. "You were not always kind to me," he continued, "but when I come back"-- She turned with a sudden impulse toward him, her breath quick and her lips unsteady. "Mr. Forsythe," she said, "I"--