s. It was not because I loved him best."

Tom threw back his head with a little cry.

"Rose," he said, coming a step nearer. "Rose, my dear; it can't hurt
to tell me now. In two days I'm going away for good and all. I have
told the squire all about it, and he is going to overlook it and send
me across the seas just the same as if nothing had happened; but when
I'm gone, it would make me happy to know that you had ever loved me
just a little bit."

"I do," said Rose. "I think I've loved you all the time."

Tom drew a long breath, but did not attempt to come closer.

"Thank you," he said, with an odd thrill in his voice. "I'll go away
and think of it. It will help me to be good, for I'll have a try at
that, Rose, my dear. I'll keep clear of the drink; I'm going up to the
rector to-night to tell him I'm ready to sign. He asked me to do it
before; and don't I wish I had listened to him! But now I'll do it
without the asking."

There was some difference in Tom that Rose felt but could not define,
some influence over him that was stronger than her own. She had been
conscious before that she had but to speak and he would try his utmost
to carry out her whim; but to-day, miserable as he was, oppressed by
the weight of sin, she felt respect for a certain strength of purpose
that seemed developed in him. Mr. Curzon was right; she had chosen the
wrong man. Never had she valued Tom's love as she did now when she was
just about to lose it.

"Then you are going directly?" she almost whispered.

"Yes; I leave here the day after to-morrow, and I sail in about a
fortnight. The squire thought the sooner I was out of the way the
better."

"Shall you ever come back?"

"I don't know."

"Nor ever write?" asked Rose, with a sob in her throat.

"That's as may be; I'd write to one who cared."

"I care. Write to me, please?"

She was looking at him with pleading eyes, but he would not trust
himself to return her glance.

"Rose," he said, "there's not the woman now that I would ask to be my
wife. I'm guilty, before God, of two black sins; but if He gives me
time to live it down and earn a clean name again----"

"He will! He will!" said Rose. "And, Tom, it does not matter if it's
years, I'll wait." And then she put her arms round his neck and kissed
him.

His face was ashen grey; his arms ached with the longing to return her
embrace and hold her close to his heart, but he let her go.

"Before God, Rose, m