In the fairy tale the beast suddenly drops his skin and is a prince, and I believed it seemed to Babbie that some such change had come over this man, her plaything. "Your lantern is shining on my mother's window," were the words that woke her from this discovery, and then she found herself yielding the lantern to him. She became conscious vaguely that a corresponding change was taking place in herself. "You spoke of taking me to your mother," she said, bitterly. "Yes," he answered at once, "to-morrow"; but she shook her head, knowing that to-morrow he would be wiser. "Give me the lantern," she said, in a low voice, "I am going back to Nanny's now." "Yes," he said, "we must set out now, but I can carry the lantern." "You are not coming with me!" she exclaimed, shaking herself free of his hand. "I am coming," he replied, calmly, though he was not calm. "Take my arm, Babbie." She made a last effort to free herself from bondage, crying passionately, "I will not let you come." "When I say I am coming," Gavin answered between his teeth, "I mean that I am coming, and so let that be an end of this folly. Take my arm." "I think I hate you," she said, retreating from him. "Take my arm," he repeated, and, though her breast was rising rebelliously, she did as he ordered, and so he escorted her from the garden. At the foot of the field she stopped, and thought to frighten him by saying, "What would the people say if they saw you with me now?" "It does not much matter what they would say," he answered, still keeping his teeth together as if doubtful of their courage. "As for what they would do, that is certain; they would put me out of my church." "And it is dear to you?" "Dearer than life." "You told me long ago that your mother's heart would break if----" "Yes, I am sure it would." They had begun to climb the fields, but she stopped him with a jerk. "Go back, Mr. Dishart," she implored, clutching his arm with both hands. "You make me very unhappy for no purpose. Oh, why should you risk so much for me?" "I cannot have you wandering here alone at midnight," Gavin answered, gently. "That is nothing to me," she said, eagerly, but no longer resenting his air of proprietorship. "You will never do it again if I can prevent it." "But you cannot," she said, sadly. "Oh, yes, you can, Mr. Dishart. If you will turn back now I shall promise never to do anything again without first asking myself whether it would seem right to you. I know I acted very wrongly to-night." "Only thoughtlessly," he said. "Then have pity on me," she besought him, "and go back. If I have only been thoughtless, how can you punish me thus? Mr. Dishart," she entreated, her voice breaking, "if you were to suffer for this folly of mine, do you think I could live?" "We are in God's hands, dear," he answered, firmly, and he again drew her arm to him. So they climbed the first field, and were almost at the hill before either spoke again.