“In plain words, your sweetheart, I suppose?” Phoebe’s expressive silence was her only reply. She turned a corner, and pointed to her mistress standing alone before the entrance of a damp and deserted summer-house. Regina put her handkerchief to her eyes, when the maid had discreetly retired. “Oh,” she said softly, “I am afraid this is very wrong.” Amelius removed the handkerchief by the exercise of a little gentle force, and administered comfort under the form of a kiss. Having opened the proceedings in this way, he put his first question, “Why did you leave London?” “How could I help it!” said Regina, feebly. “They were all against me. What else could I do?” It occurred to Amelius that she might, at her age, have asserted a will of her own. He kept his idea, however, to himself, and, giving her his arm, led her slowly along the path of the shrubbery. “You have heard, I suppose, what Mr. Farnaby expects of me?” he said. “Yes, dear.” _“I_ call it worse than mercenary--I call it downright brutal.” “Oh, Amelius, don’t talk so!” Amelius came suddenly to a standstill. “Does that mean you agree with him?” he asked. “Don’t be angry with me, dear. I only meant there was some excuse for him.” “What excuse?” “Well, you see, he has a high idea of your family, and he thought you were rich people. And--I know you didn’t mean it, Amelius--but, still, you did disappoint him.” Amelius dropped her arm. This mildly-persistent defence of Mr. Farnaby exasperated him. “Perhaps I have disappointed _you?”_ he said. “Oh, no, no! Oh, how cruel you are!” The ready tears showed themselves again in her magnificent eyes--gentle considerate tears that raised no storm in her bosom, and produced no unbecoming results in her face. “Don’t be hard on me!” she said, appealing to him helplessly, like a charming overgrown child. Some men might have still resisted her; but Amelius was not one of them. He took her hand, and pressed it tenderly. “Regina,” he said, “do you love me?” “You know I do!” He put his arm round her waist, he concentrated the passion that was in him into a look, and poured the look into her eyes. “Do you love me as dearly as I love you?” he whispered.