notion in my father's head, though, of course, circumstances may change
it. I will try to let you know, Allan, or if I do not, perhaps you will
be able to find out for yourself. Then, then, if we both live and you
still care for me, who will always care for you, when I am of age, you
will join us and, say and do what they may, I will marry no other man.
And if I die, as may well happen, oh! then my spirit shall watch over
you and wait for you till you join me beneath the wings of God. Look,
it grows light. I must go. Farewell, my love, my first and only love,
till in life or death we meet again, as meet we shall."

Once more we clung together and kissed, muttering broken words, and then
she tore herself from my embrace and was gone. But oh! as I heard her
feet steal through the dew-laden grass, I felt as though my heart were
being rent from my breast. I have suffered much in life, but I do not
think that ever I underwent a bitterer anguish than in this hour of my
parting from Marie. For when all is said and done, what joy is there
like the joy of pure, first love, and what bitterness like the
bitterness of its loss?


Half an hour later the flowering trees of Maraisfontein were behind us,
while in front rolled the fire-swept veld, black as life had become for
me.



CHAPTER VII