"You need such oaths from me?" he asked, and she saw sorrow spread upon
his countenance.

"If I did I should not love thee, Noll. But in such an hour I need
your own assurance. Will you not be generous and bear with me,
strengthen me to withstand anything that may be said hereafter?"

"As God's my witness, I have told you true in all," he answered
solemnly.

She sank her head to his shoulder. She was weeping softly, overwrought
by this climax to all that in silence and in secret she had suffered
since he had come a-wooing her.

"Tnen," she said, "I believe you acted rightly. I believe with you
that no man of honour could have acted otherwise. I must believe you,
Noll, for did I not, then I could believe in naught and hope for
naught. You are as a fire that has seized upon the better part of me
and consumed it all to ashes that you may hold it in your heart. I am
content so you be true."

"True I shall ever be, sweetheart," he whispered fervently. "Could I
be less since you are sent to make me so?"

She looked at him again, and now she was smiling wistfully through her
tears.

"And you will bear with Peter?" she implored him.