don't move; it may come
again."

My first too hasty assurance had calmed Kitty's fears, and she raised her
charming flushed face from its retreat and prepared to withdraw. I did
not facilitate the preparations, and a moment of awkward silence ensued.

"Might I inquire," I asked, "if the dear little person at present
reposing in my arms will stay there (with intervals for rest and
refreshment) for the rest of her natural life?"

She withdrew entirely now, all but her hand, and her eyes sought the
ground.

"I suppose I shall have to now,--that is, if you think--at least, I
suppose you do think--at any rate, you look as if you were thinking--that
this has been giving you encouragement."

"I do indeed,--decisive, undoubted, barefaced encouragement."

"I don't think I ought to be judged as if I were in my sober senses," she
replied. "I was frightened within an inch of my life. I told you this
morning that I was dreadfully afraid of bulls, especially mad ones, and I
told you that my nurse frightened me, when I was a child, with awful
stories about them, and that I never outgrew my childish terror. I
looked everywhere about: the barn was too far, the fence too high, I saw
him coming, and there was nothing but you and the open country; of course
I took you. It was very natural, I'm sure,--any girl would have done
it."

"To be sure," I replied soothingly, "any girl would have run after me, as
you say."

"I didn't say any girl would have run after you,--you needn't flatter
yourself; and besides, I think I was really trying to protect you as well
as to gain protection; else why should I have cast myself on you like a
catamount, or a catacomb, or whatever the thing is?"

"Yes, darling, I thank you for saving my life, and I am willing to devote
the remainder of it to your service as a pledge of my gratitude; but if
you should take up life-saving as a profession, dear, don't throw
yourself on a fellow with"--

"Jack! Jack!" she cried, putting her hand over my lips, and getting it
well kissed in consequence. "If you will only forget that, and never,
never taunt me with it afterwards, I'll--I'll--well, I'll do anything in
reason; yes, even marry you!"

CANTERBURY, _July_ 31
The Royal Fountain.

I was never sure enough of Kitty, at first, to dare risk telling her
about that little mistake of hers. She is suc