"Are you with him _always?_"

"No; I am sometimes a good deal alone. I can be alone as much as I like;
he always gives me perfect liberty. But I never before wanted to be alone
when I could be with him."

"But he _could_ live without you?"

"Yes, indeed!" I cried. "He would be a poor creature that could not live
without another!"

He said nothing, and I added, "He often goes out alone--sometimes in the
darkest nights."

"Then be sure he knows what love is.--But, if you would rather, I will
tell him."

"I could not have any one, even you, tell my uncle about me."

"You are right. When will you tell him?"

"I cannot be sure. I would go to him to-morrow, but I am afraid they will
not let me until he has got a little over this accident," I answered--and
told him what had happened. "It is dreadful to think how he must have
suffered," I said, "and how much more I should have thought about it but
for you! It tears my heart. Why wasn't it made bigger?"

"Perhaps that is just what is now being done with it!" he answered.

"I hope it may be!" I returned. "--But it is time I went in."