what I mean. When these wearisome thongs are off your wrists you
will belong to me, and come with me into my country and be part of
my life."

"Ah!" whispered Stella, the picture seemed one of heaven, that was
all.

"You must have freedom to assert your individuality, Stella," he
continued. "I can but show you the way and give you a new point of
view, but I will never try to rule you and drag you to mine. I
will never put any chains upon you but those of love. Do they
sound as if they would be too heavy, dearest?"

"I think not," she said very low. "I feel as though I were looking
into a beautiful garden from the top of an ugly, barren, cold
mountain. I shall like to come down and go in among the unknown
flowers."

"It will be so glorious for us," he said exultantly, "because we
have still all the interesting things to find out about each
other,--" And then, her sweet face so very near him, the
temptation to caress her became too intense; he quivered and
changed his position, clasping his hands.

"Darling," he said hoarsely, "we must soon go back to the company,
because, although I count always upon my will to make my actions
obey it, still I can hardly prevent myself from seizing you in my
arms and kissing your tender lips--and that I must not do--as
yet."