est you could under the circumstances."

"Is a cornfield the best you can do under the circumstances?"

"It is Mell--the very best. Now, my sweet Mell, I am going to be
serious--really serious--dreadfully in earnest. I acknowledge that you
have some cause to find fault with me. There are things 'disjoint and
out of frame' in my wooing, which I cannot explain to you at this
time. Bear with them, bear with me for a little--there's a dear
girl--and when I come back--"

"You are going away! Where, Jerome? When?"

"Only a run over to Cragmore, for a week or ten days. I have friends
there, who are writing for me. Another guest is coming to the Bigge
House, and I rather think we shall be in each other's way, Mell."

She leant upon his words as if they planned

"Eternities of separate sweetness."

"Mell, will your regard for me bear a heavy test? I cannot now speak
such words to you as my feelings prompt me to speak, but will you not
trust me blindly until certain difficulties which surround me are
overcome? Is your affection great enough for that?"

"I do not know," faltered Mell; "I would trust you to the world's end,
and to the very crack of doom, if you would only tell me."

"And then it would not be trust," Jerome gently reminded her, with his
mysterious smile. Catching his glance of penetrating tenderness, a
vivid breathing reality from a misty background of fogs and doubt,
under the spell of its enchantment, Mell thought she could. Her face
softened.

"It will be hard, Jerome, but I will try."

"Then, believe me, all will yet be well with us. Whatever untoward
event may occur, whatever else you may have cause to doubt, never
question the sincerity of my attachment. I call upon God, who readeth
the heart of man, to witness that you, only, are dear to me--you,
only, precious in my sight. Believe that; be patient, and trust me."

The deep silence which followed these words was broken only by their
slow moving feet, crushing the crisp leaves beneath them, and the wild
palpitations of the girl's heart. Crystal stars made haste to lend
their liquid glimmering to the scene, and blinked knowingly at each
other from azure heights on high. The sweet south wind, in melting
mood, murmured tunefully above their heads, swelling in delicious
diapason of melodious suggestions, and mingling with mysterious
elements in stirring pulse and thrilling nerves.

The rasp of a discordant tone, thrust vehemently in