g, they had taken the train from
London to Haslemere, with Dolly of course by their side, and then
had strolled up Hind Head by the beautiful footpath which mounts at
first through a chestnut copse, and then between heather-clad hills
to the summit. At the loneliest turn of the track, where two purple
glens divide, Harvey Kynaston seated himself on the soft bed of
ling; Herminia sank by his side; and Dolly, after awhile, not
understanding their conversation, wandered off by herself a little
way afield in search of harebells and spotted orchises. Dolly found
her mother's friends were apt to bore her; she preferred the society
of the landlady's daughters.

It was a delicious day. Hard by, a slow-worm sunned himself on the
basking sand. Blue dragon-flies flashed on gauze wings in the
hollows. Harvey Kynaston looked on Herminia's face and saw that
she was fair. With an effort he made up his mind to speak at last.
In plain and simple words he asked her reverently the same question
that Alan had asked her so long ago on the Holmwood.

Herminia's throat flushed a rosy red, and an unwonted sense of
pleasure stole over that hard-worked frame as she listened to his
words; for indeed she was fond of him. But she answered him at
once without a moment's hesitation. "Harvey, I'm glad you ask me,
for I like and admire you. But I feel sure beforehand my answer
must be NO. For I think what you mean is to ask, will I marry
you?"

The man gazed at her hard. He spoke low and deferentially. "Yes,
Herminia," he replied. "I do mean, will you marry me? I know,
of course, how you feel about this matter; I know what you have
sacrificed, how deeply you have suffered, for the sake of your
principles. And that's just why I plead with you now to ignore
them. You have given proof long ago of your devotion to the right.
You may surely fall back this second time upon the easier way of
ordinary humanity. In theory, Herminia, I accept your point of
view; I approve the equal liberty of men and women, politically,
socially, personally, ethically. But in practice, I don't want to
bring unnecessary trouble on the head of a woman I love; and to
live together otherwise than as the law directs does bring
unnecessary trouble, as you know too profoundly. That is the only
reason why I ask you to marry me. And Herminia, Herminia," he
leant forward appealingly, "for the love's sake I bear you, I hope
you will consent to it."

His voice was