e best one is by the station; but if you sleep in the front of the
house, you have the whistling of engines all night long, and if you
sleep in the back, you overlook a barracks, and the confounded
trumpeting begins about four o'clock, I believe."

"Wenna and I won't mind that--we shall be too tired," Mabyn said. "Do
you think they could give us a little hot coffee when we arrive?"

"Oh yes. I'll give the night-porter a sovereign a cup: then he'll offer
to bring it to you in buckets. Now, don't you think the whole thing is
beautifully arranged, Mabyn?"

"It is quite lovely!" the girl said joyously, "for we shall be off with
the morning train to London, while Mr. Roscorla is pottering about
Launceston Station at midday. Then we must send a telegram from
Plymouth, a fine dramatic telegram; and my father, he will swear a
little, but be quite content; and my mother--do you know, Mr. Trelyon, I
believe my mother will be as glad as anybody. What shall we say?--'To
Mr. Rosewarne, Eglosilyan: We have fled. Not the least good pursuing us.
May as well make up your mind to the inevitable. Will write to-morrow.'
Is that more than the twenty words for a shilling?"

"We sha'n't grudge the other shilling if it is," the young man said.
"Now you must go on with your cake, Mabyn. I am off to see after the
horses' shoes. Mind, as soon after ten as you can--just where the path
from the wood comes into the main road."

Then she hesitated, and for a minute or two she remained thoughtful and
silent, while he was inwardly hoping that she was not going to draw
back. Suddenly she looked up at him with earnest and anxious eyes. "Oh,
Mr. Trelyon," she said, "this is a very serious thing. You--you will be
kind to our Wenna after she is married to you?"

"You will see, Mabyn," he answered gently.

"You don't know how sensitive she is," she continued, apparently
thinking over all the possibilities of the future in a much graver
fashion than she had done. "If you were unkind to her it would kill her.
Are you quite sure you won't regret it?"

"Yes, I am quite sure of that," said he--"as sure as a man may be. I
don't think you need fear my being unkind to Wenna. Why, what has put
such thoughts into your head?"

"If you were to be cruel to her or indifferent," she said slowly and
absently, "I know that would kill her. But I know more than that: _I
would kill you._"

"Mabyn," he said, quite startled, "whatever has put such thoughts into
your h