want anyone from home to come and see me--not yet!--not for a very
long time! It would only make me sad--and it would make you sad
too! But be quite sure it will not be long before you see me
again."

Her letter to Robin was longer and full of restrained feeling:

"I know you are very unhappy, you kind, loving boy," it ran. "You
have lost me altogether--yes, that is true--but do not mind, it is
better so, and you will love some other girl much more than me
some day. I should have been a mistake in your life had I stayed
with you. You will see me again--and you will then understand why
I left Briar Farm. I could not wrong the memory of the Sieur
Amadis, and if I married you I should be doing a wicked thing to
bring myself, who am base-born, into his lineage. Surely you do
understand how I feel? I am quite safe--in a good home, with a
lady who takes care of me--and as soon as I can I will let you
know exactly where I am--then if you ever come to London I will
see you. But your work is on Briar Farm--that dear and beloved
home!--and you will keep up its old tradition and make everybody
happy around you. Will you not? Yes! I am sure you will! You MUST,
if ever you loved me.
"INNOCENT."

With this letter his last hope died within him. She would never be
his--never, never! Some dim future beckoned her in which he had no
part--and he confronted the fact as a brave soldier fronts the
guns, with grim endurance, aware, yet not afraid of death.

"If ever I loved her!" he thought. "If ever I cease to love her