Yes; but some man would be coming along and marrying her; and where would he be then? What would become of this alliance, this friendly understanding--perhaps, even, some little interest on her part in his affairs--what would become of all these relations, then? It was the way of the world. Their paths would be divided--he would hear vaguely of her--perhaps see her name in the papers as being at a drawing-room or something of the kind. She would have forgotten all those long, still days by the Aivron and the Geinig; no echo would remain in her memory of "The Bonnie Earl o' Morau," as he had sung it for her, with all the passionate pathos of which he was capable; she would be a stranger--moving afar--one heard of only--a remembrance--and no more. So the impalpable future was interwoven with those dreams and not too happy forecasts, as the train thundered on its way, along the wooded banks of the Allan Water and towards the winding Links of Forth. But there was an alternative that would recur again and again to his fancy, though in rather a confused and breathless way. What if, in the very despair of losing her altogether, at the very moment of parting with her, he had made bold to claim this proud-spirited maiden all for himself? Might not some such sudden and audacious proposal have been the very thing to appeal to her--the very thing to capture her? A challenge--a demand that she should submit--that she should come down from those serene heights of independence and yield herself a willing and gracious helpmeet and companion for life to this daring suitor; might not that have secured for him this wondrous prize? If she had any regard for him at all, she might have been startled into confession. A couple of words--there by the side of the Aivron--might have been enough. No theatrical professions nor mock homage, no kneeling at her feet or swearing by eternal stars; but a look into her eyes--a clasp of the hand--a single question? Something he had indeed meant to say to her, as they stood face to face there for the last time--something, he hardly knew what; and yet his hesitation had been but natural; he might have been hurried into saying too much; he dared not offend. Nay, even as he held her hand, he was unaware of the true state of his feeling towards her; it was this separation--this ever-increasing distance between them--that had enabled him to understand.