The sky was studded with stars before I would let Miriam go, though many a time she vowed she dare not stop a minute, and made to go, and as many times shrank coyly back into the haven of my arms, and giving back kiss for kiss. And then she would have gone with my purpose half fulfilled, but that in pulling out my watch I drew out also the ring which Mr. Garside had given me for my own, the ring engraved "Mizpah," that even by the moon's light sparkled and glistened as I slipt it on to Miriam's finger. "No! no! not there. I musn't wear it there. See, it shall be close my heart," and she kissed it and slid it within the folds of her dress. "I'll wear it there, and no one at Burnplatts must see it. Why, there's men there would rob a church for less than these bright stones. And Granny and Ephraim Oh! I'm feart, I'm feart. Best take it back, Abel, and keep it for me till we're----," and then she stopped in sweet confusion. "Nay let it bide where 'tis. But tell me, Miriam why do you fear?" "Because ever since I was a little one Granny's always said I was to wed Ephraim and he, and he--oh! in his wild way I think he loves me. And I'd always taken it for granted that I should be his wife though now I know I didn't love him. And then you came, and I knew what love is, and it seems strange that ever I should have thought of Ephraim in that way. But, I'm feart, oh! I'm feart--not for myself, but for you, when Ephraim knows the truth. Oh! what should I do if harm came to you, if my love should be your curse?" Of course I chided her for her groundless fears, a lass's whimsies I called them, and, clasping her in a long embrace, bade her banish her gloomy thoughts and leave it to me to win our way to the sweet fulfilling of our love. "Then there's that horrid man at the Wakes," she faltered. "It wasn't the first time he'd spoken to me, though he never touched me before." "What, Tom o' Bills, o' th' 'Moorcock'?"