And so they went down to the restaurant, which was rather a big place, cut into small compartments; and one of these they had to themselves, for it was but half-past twelve as yet; and by and by a frugal little lunch was before them. The novelty of the situation was so amusing—to Meenie at least—that for a time it drove graver thoughts away altogether. She acted as mistress of the feast; and would insist on his having this or that; and wondered that he had never even tasted Worcester sauce; and was altogether tenderly solicitous about him; whereas he, on the other hand, wished not to be bothered by any of these things, and wanted only to know what Meenie meant to do when she went back to Inver-Mudal. ’But you must tell me what you would have me do,’ she said timidly. ’Well, I don’t want you to quarrel with your mother and father on my account, and be living in constant wretchedness. If they say you are not to write to me, don’t write——’ ’But you said a little while ago there would be no difficulty in our hearing from each other,’ she said, with wide open eyes. ’I have been thinking about it, good lass,’ said he, ’and I don’t want you to anger your folk and have a heavy heart in consequence. In the meantime you must look to them—you must do what they say. By and by it may be different; in the meantime I don’t want you to get into trouble——’ ’Then it’s little you know how this will end, Ronald,’ she said, rather sadly. ’I have thought over it more than you have. If I go back to Inver-Mudal prepared to do everything they wish me to do—I mean my mother, not my father, for I don’t know what he might say—then it isn’t only that you will never hear from me, and that I shall never hear a word from you; there’s more than that: I shall never see you again in this world.’ He turned very pale; and, scarcely knowing what he did, he stretched his hand over the narrow little table, and seized her hand, and held it firm. ’I will not let you go, then. I will keep you here in Glasgow, with me, Meenie. Do you think I can let you go away for ever? For you are mine. I don’t care who says ay or no; you are mine; my own true-hearted girl; the man or woman is not born that will sunder us two.’ Of course he had to speak in a low tone; but the grip of his hand was sufficient emphasis. And then he said, regarding her earnestly and yet half-hesitatingly— ’There is one way that would give you the right to judge what was best for yourself—that would give you the right to act or say what you pleased—even to leave your father’s house, if that was necessary. Will you become my wife, Meenie, before you go back to Inver-Mudal?’ She started, as well she might; but he held her hand firm.