beyond the orchard and were now on the very edge of the little
thicket where the tomb of the Sieur Amadis de Jocelin glimmered
pallidly through the shadow of the leaves. Innocent quickened her
steps.

"Come!" she said.

He followed her reluctantly. Almost he hated the old stone knight
which served her as a subject for so many fancies and feelings,
and when she beckoned him to the spot where she stood beside the
recumbent effigy, he showed a certain irritation of manner which
did not escape her.

"You are cross with him!" she said, reproachfully. "You must not
be so. He is the founder of your family--"

"And the finish of it, I suppose!" he answered, abruptly. "He
stands between us two, Innocent!--a cold stone creature with no
heart--and you prefer him to me! Oh, the folly of it all! How can
you be so cruel!"

She looked at him wistfully--almost her resolution failed her. He
saw her momentary hesitation and came close up to her.

"You do not know what love is!" he said, catching her hand in his
own--"Innocent, you do not know! If you did!--if I might teach
you--!"

She drew her hand away very quickly and decidedly.