made his appearance in the kitchen, to receive the domestic instructions
of which a stranger stood in need. A quiet man and a civil man: even my
prejudiced examination could discover nothing in him that looked
suspicious. I saw a well-trained servant--and I saw nothing more.

Old Toller made a last attempt to persuade me that it was not worth a
gentleman's while to accept his hospitality, and found me immovable. I
was equally obstinate when Cristel asked leave to make up a bed for me in
the counting-house at the mill.

With the purpose that I had in view, if I accepted her proposal I might
as well have been at Trimley Deen.

Left alone, I placed the armchair and another chair for my feet, across
the door of communication. That done, I examined a little door behind the
stairs (used I believe for domestic purposes) which opened on a narrow
pathway, running along the river-side of the house. It was properly
locked. I have only to add that nothing happened during the night.

The next day showed no alteration for the better, in Cristel. She made an
excuse when I proposed to take her out with me for a walk. Her father's
business kept him away from the cottage, and thus gave me many
opportunities of speaking to her in private. I was so uneasy, or so
reckless--I hardly know which--that I no longer left it to be merely
inferred that I had resolved to propose marriage to her.

"My sweet girl, you are so wretched, and so unlike yourself, in this
place, that I entreat you to leave it. Come with me to London, and let me
make you safe and happy as my wife."

"Oh, Mr. Roylake!"

"Why do you call me, 'Mr Roylake'? Have I done anything to offend you?
There seems to be some estrangement between us. Do you believe that I
love you?"

"I wish I could doubt it!" she answered.

"Why?"

"You know why."

"Cristel! Have I made some dreadful mistake? The truth! I want the truth!
Do you love me?"

A low cry of misery burst from her. Was she mastered by love, or by
despair? She threw herself on my breast. I kissed her. She murmured, "Oh
don't tempt me! Don't tempt me!" Again and again, I kissed her. "Ah," I
broke out, in the ecstasy of my sense of relief, "I know that you love
me, now!"

"Yes," she said, simply and sadly, "I do love you."

My selfish passion asked for more even than this.

"Prove it by being my wife," I answered.

She put me back from her, firmly and gently.

"I will prove it, Gerard, by not letting you disg