"No, dear Rob; it was not that, but of something else." "What, Brackley?" he said roughly, and with an angry scowl. "Oh, no, Rob," she cried, with a frightened look and a shudder as she covered his lips with hers. "Don't, pray, speak of that. It is too horrible. I didn't mean that." "What then?" "It was nothing about you, Rob, dearest. It was about myself. I was frightened, but no, not _now_," she whispered caressingly, as she nestled to him. "I shall always have your brave, strong, giant's arms to be round me, to protect me against everybody." "Of course," he said, complacently, as he smiled down at her. "But what are you afraid of?" "Oh; nothing," she whispered; "it's because I'm weak and foolish. Oh, Rob, how grand it must be to feel big, and strong and brave. It was some time before we went away, I was out walking, and a man came out from among the hazel bushes." "Eh?" growled Rolph. "It was that dreadful poacher who used to be about, and he asked for money, and I gave him some, dear, and then he became insulting, and tried to catch me in his arms, but I shrieked out and he ran away." "Caleb Kent?" growled Rolph. "I think that is what he was called," said Marjorie timidly; "but I need not be afraid of him now, need I, Rob?" "You may be afraid for him," said Rolph, fiercely; "for so sure as ever we meet any night, and he is poaching, I shall have an accident with my gun." "But you won't kill him, Rob. Don't do that, dearest; it would be too dreadful." "No; I won't kill him if I can help it. That would be too bad, eh? I won't nail his ears to the pump." "Ah, my darlings! here still," said Mrs Rolph, who entered, smiling, but with the tears trickling down her cheeks. "Madge, my child, what has become of my salts--you know, the cut-glass bottle with the gold top." "Never mind the salts, mother," said Rolph, boisterously; "sugar has done it. I've quite brought Madge to--haven't I, pussy?" "Oh, Rob, dearest," cried Madge, hiding her face upon his breast, and shuddering slightly as she nestled there, as if a cold breath of wind had passed over to threaten the blasting of her budding hopes. "It's all right, mother, and--there as soon as you like. Come, little wifey to be, begin your duties at once. Big strong husbands want plenty of food when they are not training. They are like the lawyers who need refreshers. I'm choking for a pint of Bass. No, no, mother; let her ring. Satisfied?" "Rob, my darling, you've made me a happy woman at last--so proud, so very proud of my darling son." "All right," cried Rolph, gruffly; "but, look here, I'm not going to figure at Brackley over a business like this. I'm off back to barracks." "So soon, Rob," cried Madge, and the scared look came into her eyes again, as she involuntarily glanced at the window as if expecting to see Caleb Kent peering in. "Madge, my darling! Look at her, Rob."