"You don't understand what I mean. I wonder if they were in love with one another and regret their engagements." Herrick burst into such a hearty fit of laughter that she was cheered. "I never heard such nonsense in my life!" he said. "Where is your women's wit Ida? Why, Bess loves me devotedly I am certain. As for Stephen, he adores the very ground you walk on. No! It's not that my dear girl." "Then what can it be?" asked Ida drying her tears. "I shall question Bess until I find out," said Herrick grimly. "You have no idea how I can torture people with cross examination." True to his idea, Dr. Jim sought out Bess. He came across her in the Pine wood beside the fairy circle. Her eyes were cast on the ground and she looked despondent. When she saw Herrick she made as if to go away. Dr. Jim felt wounded. "Bess! Don't you want to see me." "Of course I do," she said brightly, "only, I'm not very well." "Neither is Stephen," said Dr. Jim, and he saw by her start that the remark made her nervous. "Have you two quarrelled?" "No! we have not; we are great friends." "Are you in love with one another then?" Bess grew crimson and stamped. "How dare you say such a thing as that even in jest?" she said. "What would Ida say if she heard it." "It was Ida's own idea," replied Herrick with a smile, "seeing you two so glum, she fancied that you regretted your engagements and wanted to marry one another. Just say if this is the case Bess and Ida and I will console each other! That would be only fair, you know!" The first smile that Herrick had seen on her face since his return dimpled the cheek of Bess. "I never heard such nonsense. I like Stephen, but you are the man I love. You stupid Jim; you know that!" "I am not quite sure if I do," said Jim gravely; "in love there should be complete confidence." "Surely there is, between us," said Bess nervously. "You can't look me in the face and repeat that." Bess made the attempt, and failed. "It is nothing!" she said obstinately. "There _is_ something however," said Dr. Jim sternly, "you and Stephen have some secret between you which is making you both ill. What is it?" "I can't tell you Jim." "Then there _is_ a secret?" "I won't be questioned like this!" cried Bess with angry evasion. Herrick took her by the arm and forced her to look into his face. "My dear girl," he said, "I am to be your husband, and you must obey and consult me in all things. If you are playing with fire, I must know. Do you not trust me Bess?" "Yes. But the secret is not my own." "In that case I won't press you for an explanation," he said relaxing his grip, "you are a foolish girl to have any secrets from one who loves you. But I suppose you have given your word not to tell?" "Yes. I cannot break my word." Herrick nodded. "I do not ask you to. The secret of Stephen shall be respected. I do not even ask you if it has to do with the murder of his uncle. There is no need to ask."