ut now I know I hadn't,
because I had promised myself to you for all my life."

"No; neither of us has a right to forsake the other (we 'are no more twain
but one flesh. What, therefore, God hath joined together, let no man put
asunder'); we are husband and wife for as long as we both shall live, and
must dwell together in mutual love and forbearance. We will exchange
forgiveness, dearest, for we have both been to blame, and I forgive your
attempt of to-night on condition that you promise me never, never to do
such a thing again."

"I promise," she said, "and," imploringly, "O Ned, won't you keep my
secret? I couldn't bear to have it known even in the family."

"No more could I, love," he answered; "and oh, but I am thankful that you
were caught by the door and so prevented from carrying out your purpose!"

"So am I, and that it was my own dear husband, and not a burglar, as I
feared, who found me there."

"Ah, was that the cause of your fright?" he asked, with a look of relief
and pleasure. "I thought it was your terror of your husband's wrath that
caused your faint. But, darling, you are looking weary and actually ill.
You must go to bed at once."

"I'll obey you, this time and always," she answered, looking up fondly
into his face. "I am convinced now that I am only a foolish child in need
of guidance and control, and who should provide them but you? I could
hardly stand it from anybody else--unless mamma--but I'm sure that in
future it will be a pleasure to take it from my own dear husband if--if
only----" she paused, blushing and hiding her face on his breast.

"If what, love?"

"If only instead of 'You must and shall,' you will say kindly, 'I want you
to do it to please me, Zoe.'"

"Sweet one," he answered, holding her to his heart, "I do fully intend
that it shall be always love and coaxing after this."

CHAPTER XXII.

"Our love, it ne'er was reckoned,
Yet good it is and true;
It's half the world to me, dear,
It's all the world to you."
--Hood.

Edward was a trifle late in obeying the call to breakfast. He found the
rest of the family already seated at the table, and great was the surprise
created by his entrance.

"Why, how's this? hae we all been sleepin' a week or ten days?" exclaimed
Mr. Lilburn. "The lad was to hae been absent that length o' time, and I
thought it was but yesterday he went; yet here he is!"

"This is an unexpected pleasure,