wondered. Not about herself and Robin--for were he as keen on
"putting up the banns" as he had been in the morning he would not
have allowed the matter to rest. He would have asked straight
questions, and he would have expected plain answers,--and they
would, in accordance with the secret understanding they had made
with each other, have deceived him. Now there was no deception
necessary--he seemed to have forgotten--at least for the present--
his own dearest desire. With a sigh, half of pain, half of relief,
she seated herself at the table, and opening its one deep drawer
with a little key which she always wore round her neck, she began
to turn over her beloved pile of manuscript, and this occupied her
for several minutes. Presently she looked up, her eyes growing
brilliant with thought, and a smile on her lips.

"I really think it might do!" she said, aloud--"I should not be
afraid to try! Who knows what might happen? I can but fail--or
succeed. If I fail, I shall have had my lesson--if I succeed--"

She leaned her head on her two hands, ruffling up her pretty hair
into soft golden-brown rings.

"If I succeed!--ah!--if I do! Then I'll pay back everything I owe
to Dad and Briar Farm!--oh, no! I can never pay back my debt to
Briar Farm!--that would be impossible! Why, the very fields and
trees and flowers and birds have made me happy!--happier than I
shall ever be after I have said good-bye to them all!--good-bye
even to the Sieur Amadis!"

Quick tears sprang to her eyes--and the tapering light of the
candle looked blurred and dim.