But there was a good deal of the wild beast about Caleb Kent. He lay still for a few moments, and then, quick and active as a cat, he twisted himself sidewise and sprang up, his mouth cut and bleeding, his features distorted with passion; and, starting back, he snatched a long knife from his pocket, threw open the blade, and made a spring at Rolph. Judith uttered a cry of horror, but there was no occasion for her dread, for, quick in his action as the young poacher, Rolph struck up the attacking arm, and the next moment Caleb Kent was outside, with his opponent following him watchfully. "Keep of!" snarled Caleb, "or I'll have your blood. All right: I see; but never mind, my turn will come yet. If I wait for years, I'll make this straight." And then as Rolph made a rush at him, he dodged aside and darted into the fir wood, running so swiftly that his adversary felt it would be useless to pursue. Neither did he wish to, for Judith was standing there by the porch, looking wild-eyed and ghastly. "You--you are hurt," she faltered. "Hurt!" he cried, as he clasped her once more in his arms. "No, no, tell me about yourself. Curse him! what did he say?" "I was alone here and busy when he came. He has followed me about from a child and frightened me. To-day he walked straight in and roughly told me that he loved me, and that I must be his wife." She shuddered. "The insolent gaol-bird!" "He frightened me, though I tried very hard to be firm, and ordered him to leave the place; but he only laughed at me, and caught me in his arms, and tried to kiss me. I was struggling with him for a long time, and no help seemed to be coming. I screamed out, and that frightened him, and he left me; but, before I could fasten the door, he came back and spoke gently to me, but when I would not listen to him, he tried to seize me again, and I cried for help, and you--" She did not shrink this time, as, throbbing with passion, and uttering threats against the scoundrel, Rolph once more folded her in his arms. Again she struggled from him, trembling. "I am not doing right," she said firmly. "If you love me, Rob--" "If I love you!" he said reproachfully. "I am sure you have pity for me," she said, taking his hand and raising it to her lips, to utter a cry of horror, for the hand was bleeding freely, and the ruddy current dyed her lips. "Hurt in my defence," she said with a pained smile, as she bound her own handkerchief about the bleeding knuckles. "I'd die in your defence," he whispered passionately; "your protector always, dearest." "Then protect me now," she said, "that I am weak, and let me trust in you. You wish me to be your wife, Robert?" "Eh? Yes, of course, of course," he said hurriedly. "And you won't let your mother sending me away make any difference?" "How could it, little stupid! I'm not a boy," he said, banteringly. "But I must go now, and, as for Master Caleb Kent, I'll just set the policeman on his track."