last was Captain
Carver, who arose while I was feeling myself (for I had a little wound),
and strode away with a train of curses enough to poison the light of
the moon.

IV.

[Through many vicissitudes and many dangers, Lorna and John
spend the months following the incident just related. John
learns that Lorna is, after all, not a Doone, but the daughter
of a family the Doones had waylaid. John's father had also been
murdered by the Doones when John was a lad at school. The
following scene carries its own story:]

Everything was settled smoothly and without any fear or fuss that Lorna
might find end of troubles, and myself of eager waiting, with the help
of Parson Bowden, and the good wishes of two counties. We heard that
people meant to come for more than thirty miles around, upon excuse of
seeing my stature and Lorna's beauty; but in good truth, out of sheer
curiosity and the love of meddling.

Dear mother arranged all the ins and outs of the way in which it was to
be done; and Annie and Lizzie made such a sweeping of dresses that I
scarcely knew where to place my feet, and longed for a staff to put by
their gowns. Then Lorna came out of a pew half-way, in a manner which
quite astonished me, and took my left hand in her right, and I prayed
God that it were done with.

My darling looked so glorious that I was afraid of glancing at her, yet
took in all her beauty. I was afraid to look at her, except when each of
us said, "I will," and then each dwelt upon the other.

It is impossible for any who have not loved as I have to conceive my joy
and pride when, after ring and all was done, and the parson had blessed
us, Lorna turned to look at me with her glances of subtle fun subdued by
this great act.

Her eyes, which none on earth may ever equal or compare with, told me
such a depth of comfort, yet awaiting further commune, that I was almost
amazed, thoroughly as I knew them. Darling eyes, the sweetest eyes, the
loveliest, the most loving eyes--the sound of a shot rang through the
church, and those eyes were filled with death.

Lorna fell across my knees when I was going to kiss her, a flood of
blood came out upon the yellow wood of the altar steps, and at my feet
lay Lorna, trying to tell me some last message out of her faithful eyes.
I lifted her up, and petted her, and coaxed her, but it was no good; the
only sign of life remaining was a spot of bright red blood.

She sighed a long s