nt to my happiness, and, as I trusted, to her own.

But while I considered in what manner I could best frame my request, my
companion, wakened from her reverie with a scarcely audible sigh, and
looking towards the window, where the blood-red harvest moon, just rising
over one of the grim, fantastic evergreens, was shining in upon us,
said,--'Gilbert, it is getting late.'

'I see,' said I. 'You want me to go, I suppose?'

'I think you ought. If my kind neighbours get to know of this visit--as
no doubt they will--they will not turn it much to my advantage.' It was
with what the vicar would doubtless have called a savage sort of smile
that she said this.

'Let them turn it as they will,' said I. 'What are their thoughts to you
or me, so long as we are satisfied with ourselves--and each other. Let
them go to the deuce with their vile constructions and their lying
inventions!'

This outburst brought a flush of colour to her face.

'You have heard, then, what they say of me?'

'I heard some detestable falsehoods; but none but fools would credit them
for a moment, Helen, so don't let them trouble you.'

'I did not think Mr. Millward a fool, and he believes it all; but however
little you may value the opinions of those about you--however little you
may esteem them as individuals, it is not pleasant to be looked upon as a
liar and a hypocrite, to be thought to practise what you abhor, and to
encourage the vices you would discountenance, to find your good
intentions frustrated, and your hands crippled by your supposed
unworthiness, and to bring disgrace on the principles you profess.'

'True; and if I, by my thoughtlessness and selfish disregard to
appearances, have at all assisted to expose you to these evils, let me
entreat you not only to pardon me, but to enable me to make reparation;
authorise me to clear your name from every imputation: give me the right
to identify your honour with my own, and to defend your reputation as
more precious than my life!'

'Are you hero enough to unite yourself to one whom you know to be
suspected and despised by all around you, and identify your interests and
your honour with hers? Think! it is a serious thing.'

'I should be proud to do it, Helen!--most happy--delighted beyond
expression!--and if that be all the obstacle to our union, it is
demolished, and you must--you shall be mine!'

And starting from my seat in a frenzy of ardour, I seized her hand and
would have press