asked her to walk with him.

They went away by the path that led to Helpholme, and little was said
between them till they had walked some mile together.

Patience, as she went along the path, remembered almost to the letter
the sweet words which had greeted her ears as she came down that way
with him on the night of his arrival; but he remembered nothing of that
sweetness then. Had he not made an ass of himself during these last
six months? That was the thought which very much had possession of his
mind.

"Patience," he said at last, having hitherto spoken only an indifferent
word now and again since they had left the parsonage, "Patience, 1 hope
you realise the importance of the step which you and I are about to
take?"

"Of course I do," she answered. "What an odd question that is for you
to ask!"

"Because," said he, "sometimes I almost doubt it. It seems to me as
though you thought you could remove yourself from here to your new home
with no more trouble than when you go from home up to the Combe."

"Is that meant for a reproach, John?"

"No, not for a reproach, but for advice. Certainly not for a
reproach."

"I am glad of that."