n their lashes.

And in that moment Doubt and Fear were swallowed up in a great joy, and
I forgot all things save that Lisbeth was before me and that I loved
her. The moon, risen now, had made a broad path of silver across the
shadowy river to our very feet, and I remembered how the Imp had once
told me that it was there for the moon fairies to come down by when
they bring us happy dreams. Surely, the air was full of moon fairies
to-night.

"O Imp, thrice blessed Imp!"

"But--but Selwyn?" I groaned at last.

"Well?"

"If you love him--"

"But I don't!"

"But if you are to marry him--"

"But I'm not! I was going to tell you so in the orchard yesterday, but
you gave me no chance; you preferred to guess, and, of course, guessed
wrong altogether. I knew it made you wretched, and I was glad of it
and meant to keep you so a long, long time; but when I looked up and
saw you standing there so very, very miserable, Dick, I couldn't keep
it up any longer, because I was so dreadfully wretched myself, you
know."

"Can you ever forgive me?"

"That depends, Dick."

"On what?"

Lisbeth stooped, and picking up her hat, began to put it on.

"Depends on what?" I repeated.

Her hat was on now, but for a while she did not answer, her eyes upon
the "fairy path." When at last she spoke her voice was very low and
tender.

"'Not far from the village of Down, in Kent, there is a house,'" she
began, "'a very old house, with pointed gables and pannelled chambers,
but empty to-night and desolate.' You see I remember it all," she
broke off.

"Yes, you remember it all," I repeated, wondering.

"Dick--I--I want you to--take me there. I've thought of it all so
often. Take me there, Dick."

"Lisbeth, do you mean it?"

"It has been the dream of my life for a long time now--to work for you
there, to take care of you, Dick--you need such a deal, such a great
deal of taking care of--to walk with you in the old rose garden; but
I'm a beggar now, you know, though I sha'n't mind a bit if--if you want
me, Dick."

"Want you!" I cried, and with the words I drew her close and kissed
her. Now, from somewhere in the tree above came a sudden crack and
mighty snapping of twigs.

"All right, Uncle Dick!" cried a voice; "it's only the branch. Don't
worry."

"Imp!" I exclaimed.

"I'm coming, Uncle Dick," he answered, and with much exertion and heavy
breathing he presently emerged into view and squirmed himself safely to
earth