"So much more likely to be real," she answered. "True love is not reasonable, John. And you must fight a great battle for me, because all the world is against us." "The world--the world's here--here! The rest I can put under my foot and forget. You love me--oh! Grace, my star--is it true?" "Yes, for I've never felt so before, and I've done almost everything but fall in love in my time. 'Tis quite a new thing--sure it must be love; for what other name is there to give it? I love your beautiful face, and your voice, and your gentle ways; and I love you best of all for loving me, John." "Every living thing loves you," he said solemnly. "Yet you can come to a useless, poor, humble man like me, and trust me with yourself!" "Yes, I trust you, John," she said with gravity equal to his. "I know not what may betide; but you must stand between me and--and that man. Do you love me well enough to run risks and dangers for me?" "May time prove it!" "Your love is shield and buckler both to me," she said. "And yours such a blessing as God Almighty never poured into any life before," he answered earnestly. "'Tis my prayer henceforth that I may lift myself up to be worthy." "I love you with all my heart, indeed. And some day, far on, when the world rolls kinder and everybody's wiser, and Mr. Norcot is an angel or a married man--then I'll be your wife, John Lee." The lad appeared more weighted by this mighty promise than jubilant at it. "Do 'e call home all it means, my lovely?" he asked. "Do 'e know that your whole beautiful life rests on whether 'tis a wise deed or a vain one?" Grace nodded. "Love casts out all fear," she said. "Then I can only fall back upon God to be on our side," he answered. "'Tis my life and light and heaven on earth to hear you say that. Ay--you shall be my song for evermore. I'll try to live worthy of such bounty. There's no going back now--none, for I'm only flesh and blood, and Michael and all his angels shan't take 'e from me any more!" Before she could speak he was close at her side and she felt his arm about her waist, his kisses raining upon her cheeks. "For ever and ever, Grace!" "Oh yes, dear John. Love never dies." "If we could ride away over the hills now----" he said, dreaming his golden dream. "We should meet Mr. Norcot, for there he comes," she answered. "I feel that I should like to go to him and take him out of his saddle and crush him like an eggshell." "My valiant sweetheart! You may indeed have to do so some day. Drop back now, dear John, and let my cheeks cool. Oh, how lovely a thing it is to have this mighty secret between us!" "If I died now," he said, "I should have had far, far more than my share of the good of the world." "Talk not of dying. You must live for me." "That will I--and die for you if need be." "We'll live and die together, John. Now fall you back, my own dear love--else Mr. Peter will grow jealous."