"So it was just now--when you spoke as if people would understand me better because of that little silver pot, showing I had somewhere in the past a name and a family like theirs over there--I thought of 'Vanity Fair,' and I hated it. I wish you had never seen it. There is, nor has been, nothing on earth to make me possible for you, now--your inheritance has come to you. I have a pride, too, David, a different kind of pride from theirs. You loved me first, I know, as I was--just me. It was a foolish love for you to have, David dear,--but I know it is true; you could not have given yourself to save me else, and I like to keep that thought of you in my heart, big and noble and true--that you did love just me." She faltered, but still held him from her. "Do you think I would not do all I can to keep from spoiling your life over there?" "Stop, stop. It is enough," he cried. In spite of herself, he took her hands in his and drew her to him in penitent tenderness. "I'm no great lord with wide distances between me and your mountain world here, Cassandra; never think it. I'm tremendously near to the soul of things, and the man of the wilderness is strong in me. One thing you have not touched upon. Tell me, what did Frale say or do to you to so trouble you and send you off?" She stirred in his arms and waited, then murmured, "He pestered me." "Explain. Did he come often?" "Oh, no. He--I--he came one evening up to our cabin, and--I sent him off and started next day." "But explain, dearest. How did he act? What was it?" She was silent, but drew her husband's head down and hid her face in his neck. "There! Never mind, love. You needn't tell me if you don't wish." "He kissed me and held me in his arms like they were iron bands--and I hated it. He said you had gone away never to come back, and that the whole mountain side knew it; and that he had a right to come and claim my promise to him. Oh, David, David, this is the last. I have kept nothing back from you now, nothing. My heart cried out for you--like I heard you call--and I went--to--to prove to them all that word was a lie. I knew nothing they said here could touch you, but I couldn't bear that the meanest hound living should dare think wrong of you. Seems like I would have done it if I had had to crawl on my knees and swim the ocean." "My fingers tingle to grasp the throat of that young man. I fought him for you once, and if it hadn't been for a rolling stone under my foot, it would have been death for one of us. As it was, I won--with you to save me--bless you." "But now, David--" "Ah, but now--what? Are you happy?" "That isn't what I mean. You have your future--" "I have my now. It is all we ever have. The past is gone, and lives only in our memories, and the future exists only in anticipation; but now--now is all we have or can have. Live in it and love in it and be happy."