"No," he whispered passionately, "not yet, and never shall, for I find something more in you to love each time we meet, Millicent--my own--my wife!" She yielded to his embrace, and they remained silent for a time. At last he spoke. "But you seemed sad and disappointed to-night. Have I grieved you in any way--have I given you pain?" "Oh, no," she said, looking gravely in his face, "and you never could. Robert," she continued dreamily as she clung to him, "I can see our life mapped out in the future till it fades away. There are pains and sorrows, the thorns that strew the wayside of all; but I have always your strong, guiding arm to help and protect--always your brave, loving words, to sustain me when my spirit will be low, and together, hand in hand, we tread that path, patient, hopeful, loving to the end." "My own!" he whispered. "I have no fear," she continued; "my love was not given hastily, like that of some quickly dazzled girl; my love was slow to awaken; but when I felt that it was being sought by one whom I could reverence as well as love, I gave it freely--all I had." "And you are content?" "I should be truly happy, but for the pain I must give others." "Only a pang, dear love; that will pass away in the feeling that their child is truly happy in her choice. There, there, the moonlight and the solemn look of the night have made you sad. Let us talk more cheerfully. Come, you must have something to ask of me?" "No; you have told me everything," she said gravely. "I wish they could have been here to give their blessing on our love." "Their blessing?" he said half-wonderingly. "Your mother--your father, Robert," she whispered reverently as she bent her head. "Hush!" he said, and for a few moments they were silent. "But come," he cried, as if trying to give their conversation a more cheerful turn, "you must have something more to ask of me. I mean for our house." "No," she said; "it is everything I could wish." "No," he said proudly, "it is too humble for my queen. If I were rich, you should have the fairest jewels, costly retinues--a palace." "Give me your love, and I have all I need," she cried, laughing, as she clung to him. "Then you must be very rich," he said. "But is there nothing? Come, you are a free agent now. In another week you will be my own--my property, my slave, bound to me by a ring. Come, use your liberty while you can." "Well, then, yes," she said; "I will make a demand or two." "That's right; I am the slave yet, and obey. What is the first wish?" "I like Sir Gordon, dear; he has always been so good and kind to me. Ask him to come." "Too late. He left the town by coach this evening. From a hint he dropped to Thickens about his letters, I think he has gone to Hull, and is going on to Spain." "Oh!" It was an ejaculation full of pain and sorrow. "I am grieved," she said softly, and the news brought up that day when he had made her the offer of his hand.