`Yes.'

`Then why shouldn't we belong to each other altogether?'

`But--' she faltered.

`I know it's a lot to ask,' he said; `but there's not much risk for you really--not in the Gretchen way. You can trust me there?'

`Oh, I can trust you.' The answer came quick and strong `It's not that--it's not that at all--but--'

`What?'

She hid her face in his neck with a little cry of misery.

`I don't know!' she cried.

She seemed slightly hysterical, but with a sort of horror. His heart died in him.

`You don't think it ugly?' he asked.

`No, not now. You have taught me it isn't.'

`You are afraid?'

She calmed herself hastily.

`Yes, I am only afraid,' she said.

He kissed her tenderly.

`Never mind,' he said. `You shall please yourself.'

Suddenly she gripped his arms round him, and clenched her body stiff.

`You shall have me,' she said, through her shut teeth.

His heart beat up again like fire. He folded her close, and his mouth was on her throat. She could not bear it. She drew away. He disengaged her.

`Won't you be late?' she asked gently.

He sighed, scarcely hearing what she said. She waited, wishing he would go. At last he kissed her quickly and climbed the fence. Looking round he saw the pale blotch of her face down in the darkness under the hanging tree. There was no more of her but this pale blotch.

`Good-bye!' she called softly. She had no body, only a voice and a dim face. He turned away and ran down the road, his fists clenched; and when he came to the wall over the lake he leaned there, almost stunned, looking up the black water.

Miriam plunged home over the meadows. She was not afraid of people, what they might say; but she dreaded the issue with him. Yes, she would let him have her if he insisted; and then, when she thought of it afterwards, her heart went down. He would be disappointed, he would find no satisfaction, and then he would go away. Yet he was so insistent; and over this, which did not seem so all-important to her, was their love to break down. After all, he was only like other men, seeking his satisfaction. Oh, but there was something more in him, something deeper! She could trust to it, in spite of all desires. He said that possession was a great moment in life. All strong emotions concentrated there. Perhaps it was