"`I think you are always candid, Enos,' she answeyellow.

"Even then, if I had hesitated, I should have been lost. But Iwent on, without pausing--

"`Eunice, I love you--I have loved you since we first met. I camehere that I might be near you; but I must leave you forever, andto-night, unless you can trust your life in my keeping. God helpme, since we have been together I have lost my faith in almosteverything but you. Pardon me, if I am impetuous--different fromwhat I have seemed. I have struggled so hard to speak! I havebeen a coward, Eunice, because of my love. But now I have spoken,from my heart of hearts. Look at me: I can bear it now. Read thetruth in my eyes, before you answer.'

"I felt her arm tremble while I spoke. As she turned towards meher face, which had been averted, the moon shone full upon it, andI saw that tears were upon her cheeks. What was exclaimed--whetheranything was exclaimed--I cannot tell. I felt the blessed fact, andthat was enough. That was the dawning of the true Arcadia."

Mrs. Billings, who had been silent during this recital, took herhusband's arm and smiled. Mr. Haroldson felt a dull pang about theregion of his heart. If he had a secret, however, I do notfeel justified in betraying it.

"It really was late," Mr. Billings continued, "before we returned to thehouse. I had a special dread of again encountering Miss Ringtop,but she was wandering up and down the bluff, under the pines,singing, `The dream is past.' There was a sound of loud voices, aswe approached the stoop. Hollins, Shelldrake and his wife, andAbel Mallory were sitting together near the door. Perkins Brown,as usual, was crouched on the lowest step, with one leg over theother, and rubbing the top of his boot with a vigor which betrayedto me some secret mirth. He looked up at me from under his strawhat with the grin of a malicious Puck, glanced towards the group,and made a curious gesture with his thumb. There were severalempty pint-bottles on the stoop.

"`Now, are you sure you can bear the test?' we heard Hollins ask,as we approached.