It had never occurred to him that Urith had made sacrifices on her part; that he had demanded them of her, and given her no rest till they were made. He had made her marry him against her conscience and wishes, too quickly after her mother's death, and against her mother's dying orders. But he considered that what was done could not be undone, that as he had made his bed, so must he lie, as he had laden himself, so he must trudge. What then was the use of repining, and fretting over the past? "Yet--it was the Lyke Way," he said, in a low tone, "the way of death, on which we set our feet together." "No," she said, "not altogether." She released her hand from his heart, and placed it on the arm that held the bridle. "Stay the mare a moment, Tonie." "Why?" "I have something to tell you." "Can you not say it as we ride on--it is late?" "No--stay the mare." He drew rein. "Well--what is it?" he asked, a little impatiently. She looked round. "We are quite alone?" "Yes--of course--who else could be here?" Then she put her hand on his shoulder. "Turn your ear to me, Tonie. I will not say it aloud." He did as required. But she did not speak for a few moments. He showed signs of impatience. Then she gathered resolution, and whispered something into his ear; only a word or two, but he started, and turned in his saddle. "What! Urith--is it true?" "I must not ride with you more after to-night," she said, and her eyes fell. Then he put his arm round her, and drew her to him, and kissed her on one cheek, then on the other, then on her mouth, and laughed aloud. "Hold tight!" he said. "Put both arms round me, both hands on my heart! O Urith! Urith! What will my father say when he knows this? He will relent. He must." CHAPTER XXXI. FAMILY JARS. "What is the meaning of the strange talk that is about concerning thee and Elizabeth Cleverdon?" asked Julian of her brother, at breakfast next morning. "Nay, that is putting on me more than I can do. I should be sorry to account for all the idle talk that blows and drifts about on the stream of conversation, like leaves of autumn on a trout pool." "I heard it yesterday, and you certainly showed her great attention so long as you were at the dance." "Did I show her more attention than you showed to one I do not name? Faith! if I had listened to and picked up the scraps of scandal cast about, I might have filled an apron with what wanton words I heard concerning thee." He looked hard at Julian, and their eyes met. She coloured, but shook off her embarrassment, and turned to her father and said: "The saying is that my brother is setting his cap to catch Bessie Cleverdon."