"Sally," said Moses, in a low, earnest whisper, "you love me,--do you not?" and he tried to pass his arm around her. She turned and flashed at him a look of mingled terror and defiance, and struck out her hands at him; then impetuously turning away and retreating to the other end of the grotto, she sat down on a rock and began to cry. Moses came toward her, and kneeling, tried to take her hand. She raised her head angrily, and again repulsed him. "Go!" she said. "What right had you to say that? What right had you even to think it?" "Sally, you do love me. It cannot but be. You are a woman; you could not have been with me as we have and not feel more than friendship." "Oh, you men!--your conceit passes understanding," said Sally. "You think we are born to be your bond slaves,--but for once you are mistaken, sir. I _don't_ love you; and what's more, you don't love me,--you know you don't; you know that you love somebody else. You love Mara,--you know you do; there's no truth in you," she said, rising indignantly. Moses felt himself color. There was an embarrassed pause, and then he answered,-- "Sally, why should I love Mara? Her heart is all given to another,--you yourself know it." "I don't know it either," said Sally; "I know it isn't so." "But you gave me to understand so." "Well, sir, you put prying questions about what you ought to have asked her, and so what was I to do? Besides, I did want to show you how much better Mara could do than to take you; besides, I didn't know till lately. I never thought she could care much for any man more than I could." "And you think she loves me?" said Moses, eagerly, a flash of joy illuminating his face; "do you, really?" "There you are," said Sally; "it's a shame I have let you know! Yes, Moses Pennel, she loves you like an angel, as none of you men deserve to be loved,--as you in particular don't." Moses sat down on a point of rock, and looked on the ground discountenanced. Sally stood up glowing and triumphant, as if she had her foot on the neck of her oppressor and meant to make the most of it. "Now what do you think of yourself for all this summer's work?--for what you have just said, asking me if I didn't love you? Supposing, now, I had done as other girls would, played the fool and blushed, and said yes? Why, to-morrow you would have been thinking how to be rid of me! I shall save you all that trouble, sir." "Sally, I own I have been acting like a fool," said Moses, humbly. "You have done more than that,--you have acted wickedly," said Sally. "And am I the only one to blame?" said Moses, lifting his head with a show of resistance. "Listen, sir!" said Sally, energetically; "I have played the fool and acted wrong too, but there is just this difference between you and me: you had nothing to lose, and I a great deal; your heart, such as it was, was safely disposed of. But supposing you had won mine, what would you have done with it? That was the last thing you considered."