es, more; thou must tell me again to-night, Morva, that thou wilt be
true to me whatever happens--whatever thou mayst hear about me--that
thou wilt still believe that in my heart I love thee and thee only.
Dost hear, girl--_whatever_ thou dost hear?"

"I will believe nothing I may hear against thee, Will; nothing at all.
But when I see with my own eyes that thou art weary of me and art
ashamed of me, _then_ remember I am free."

"But thine eyes may deceive thee."

"I will swear by _them_, whatever," said Morva, with spirit.

Will sighed sentimentally.

"What a fate mine is! to be torn like this between my desire to rise in
the world and my love for a girl in a--in a humbler position than that
to which I aspire!"

"Oh, Will bach! thou art getting to talk so grand, and to look so
grand. Take my advice and drop poor Morva of the moor!"

"I will not!" said Will. "I will rise in the world, and I will have
thee too! Listen to me, lass, I am full of disquiet and anxiety, and
thou must give me peace of mind and confidence to go on my path
bravely."

"Poor Will!" said the girl, looking pensively out over the shimmering
sea.

"Once more, Morva, dost love me?"

"Oh, Will, once more, yes! I love thee with all my heart, thee and
everyone at Garthowen."

"Well," said Will, "we have been kind to thee ever since thou wast cast
ashore by the storm. It would be cruel and ungrateful to return our
kindness by breaking my heart."

"Oh, I will never, Will; I will never do that! Be easy, have faith in
me, and I will be true to my promise."

"Wilt seal it with a kiss, then?"

Morva was very chary of her kisses, but to-night she let him draw her
closer to him; while he pressed a passionate kiss upon her lips. There
was no answering fervour on her part, but she went so far as to smooth
back the thick hair which shaded his forehead and to press a light kiss
upon his brow.

"Well done!" said Will, with a laugh, "that is the first time thou hast
ever given me a kiss of thine own accord. I must say, Morva; thou art
as sparing of thy kisses as if thou wert a princess. Well, lass, we
must part, for to-morrow I am going to Llaniago to see about my rooms,
and there's lots to do to-night, so good-bye."

And once more holding her hand in his, he kissed her, and left her
standing behind the broom bushes. She passed out into the moonlight,
and walked slowly back over the moor with her head drooping, an unusual
thing for Morva