"You don't think him ill?"--in alarm. The colour faded quickly. "I think him very bad." "His brain again. Oh, do tell me!"--pleadingly. "No. He told me all in the front room to-day. It's his heart this time." "His heart?" "Yes. Love." "Love! In love with whom?" "I forget." "You forget whom he is in love with?" "Yes. Another matter has put it out of my head. Madge, I'm a fool too. You needn't turn away. There are no more cows, Madge. Give up the salmon and cows, Madge, and have me instead! Will you, Madge? Give me your hand.... Thank you, love. Madge!" "Yes." "The other two have turned back. There is no one else in the road. May I kiss you?" She looked over her shoulder on the side away from him. Then she looked at him.... "Thank you, darling. Let us turn back. I have touched the limits of my happiest road. Madge!" "Yes." "Yes, Jerry. Say 'Yes, Jerry.'" "Yes, Jerry." "That's better. I won't kiss you again until we get into the house. Do you think you can last out till then?" "I--I think so, Jerry." "That's right. Cultivate self-denial and obedience. You don't think it is respectable for a man to kiss his sweetheart on a public road?" "No." "That's right. Cultivate self-denial and obedience, but chiefly obedience. Don't you think it is the duty of woman to cultivate obedience chiefly?" "I do." "And if I asked it, you would, out of obedience to me, trample self-denial under foot?" "Certainly, Jerry, if you wished it." "I do. Oh, my Madge--my darling--my gentle love! Once more." "But Edith has turned round and sees us.... And my hat--you have knocked off my hat.... Thanks. Now pick up my hair-pin. It fell with the hat. What will Edith think?" "I'll tell her. I'll tell Edith quite plainly it was your self-restraint gave way, not mine." CHAPTER XXXIII. A FORTUNE LOST. That day settled many things. Alfred had told O'Brien that no matter how unwise or rash it might seem, he had made up his mind to try his fate with Mrs. Davenport--not, of course, at that time, perhaps not very soon, but ultimately, and as soon as possible.