e act of setting herself on the
cabin top she sat up stiffly and listened.

"There's a horse upon the high road," she announced.

"A highwayman, perhaps, if all company's welcome to you."

"He won't come this way," said the woman placidly. "I loves to lie
close to the road like this and see the wagons and coaches rolling by
all day: for 'tis a dull life, always on the water. Now you wouldn't
believe what a pleasure it gives me, to have you two here a-lovering,
nor how many questions I'd put if you'd let me. When is it to be, my
dear?"--addressing Hetty--"But you won't answer me, I know.
You're wishing me farther, and go I will as soon as you've drunk your
tay. Well, sir, I hope you'll take care of her: for the pretty she
is, I could kiss her myself. May I?" she asked suddenly, taking
Hetty's empty cup; and Hetty blushed and let her. "God send you
children, you beauty!"

She paused with a cup in either hand, and in the act of squeezing
herself backwards through the small cabin-door. "La, the red you've
gone! I can see it with no help more than the bit of moon. 'Tis a
terrible thing to be childless, and for that you can take my word."
Wagging her head she vanished.

Left to themselves the two sat silent. The sound of the horse's
hoofs died away down the road towards Kelstein. Had Hetty known, her
father was the horseman, with Patty riding pillion behind him.
Over the frozen floods came the note of a church clock, borne on the
almost windless air.

"Five o'clock?" Hetty sprang up. "Time to be going, and past."

"You have not forgiven me," he murmured.

"Indeed, yes." She was, after all, a girl of robust good sense, and
could smile bravely as she put an illusion by. "To be loved is
marvellous and seems to make all marvels possible: but I was wrong to
expect--this one. And if, since knowing me--"

"You have taught me all better things." He knelt on the ice at her
feet and began to fasten her skates. "Let me still be your pupil and
look up to you, as I am looking now."

"Ah!" she pressed her palms together, "but that is just what I need--
to know that we are both better for loving. I want to be sure of
that, for it makes me brave when I think of father. While he forbids
us, I cannot help doubting at times: and then I look into myself and
see that all the world is brighter, all the world is better since I
knew you. O my love, if we trust our love, and help one another!--"
Her rich voice thrilled