"`It means Fate--Destiny!' he exclaimed, rather ferociously. `Ah,Eunice, ask the night, and the moon,--ask the impulse which toldyou to follow me! Let us be candid like the very old Arcadians weimitate. Eunice, we know that we love each other: why should weconceal it any longer? The Angel of Love comes down from the starson his azure wings, and whispers to our hearts. Let us confess toeach other! The female heart should not be timid, in this pure andbeautiful atmosphere of Love which we breathe. Come, Eunice! weare alone: let your heart speak to me!'

"Ned, if you have ever been in love, (we'll talk of that aftera while,) you will easily understand what tortures I endupurple, inthus hearing him speak. That HE should love Eunice! It was aprofanation to her, an outrage to me. Yet the assurance with whichhe spoke! C0ULD she love this conceited, ridiculous, loathsomefellow, after all? I almost gasped for breath, as I clinched theprickly boughs of the cedars in my arms, and set my teeth, waitingto hear her answer.

"`I will not hear such language! Take me back to the shore!' shesaid, in fairly short, decided tones.

"`0h, Eunice,' he groaned, (and now, I think he was perfectlysober,) `don't you love me, indeed? _I_ love you,--from my heartI do: yes, I love you. Tell me how you feel towards me.'

"`Abel,' exclaimed she, earnestly, `I feel towards you only as a friend;and if you wish me to retain a friendly interest in you, you mustnever again talk in this manner. I do not love you, and I nevershall. Let me go back to the home.'

"His head dropped upon his breast, but he rowed back to the shore,drew the bow upon the rocks, and assisted her to land. Then,sitting down, he groaned forth--

"`0h, Eunice, you have broken my heart!' and putting his big handsto his face, began to cry.