us; not till then."

"I know. You love me, here, and bear with me, and for me--though I don't
deserve it."

"Don't say that--anything but that. My Princess deserves everything--and
by Jove, she shall have it. If I knew exactly what she wanted, now--"

All this time we had to be smiling and bowing right and left. You can't
make pretty speeches under such circumstances, or do delicate work. I
had turned from the main drive, but it was only a little better.

"Let us get out of this, Robert. There are too many people: we can't
talk here."

We went by streets which you must know, if you are accustomed to have
this kind of business on hand. I trust you are not: a little of it goes
a long way. At last we got into a quieter, semi-rural region. Find it
out for yourself, if you can: I am not going to tell you the exact spots
made sacred by these confidences. Meantime I had been thinking what to
say, and it came out with a rush. It is a little easier when you put the
third person for the second--yes, that is a good idea.

"If I were sure just what she wanted, she should have that thing, if
there is any power in the human will. But I am clumsy, and thick-headed,
and make blunders--you have often said so, Clarice, and so has Jane, and
even Mabel. She I speak of is of finer clay than others. Her nature has
its own laws, which I can understand only very imperfectly. Yes, you
know it is so: you have told me that too. O, she need not mind me, nor
consider me in the least. I am afraid only of offending or hurting her:
I only want to help and serve her, if I can. If she could look on me
just as a tool to be used, an instrument in case she desired to produce
certain sounds--I wish I were more capable of harmony--as a medium
possibly--. But she will not speak--perhaps she cannot. And how can I
question her, as if from vulgar curiosity? What right have I?"

Her eyes were wet now, under her veil: I could see it, though nobody
else could; and we were on a country road.

"Robert, you are the best and dearest man in the world."

"Hardly that. But I am proud of your approval, and will try to earn it.
I have not earned it yet, you know."

"Brother, you rate me too high, and--and her you speak of. What if she
had what she wanted within reach, and rudely thrust it away?"

"But she did not do that, dear: she could not. I am sure it is there
yet, if she would deign to take it."

"If that were certain, she would have others than herself t