breast. "Our love is strong enough to conquer all that, Doll."

"I hope it will. I think it will in the end," she replied, "but the
way is very dark for us at present. But naught shall stay us now. Our
love is too true not to win."

"It shall!" he returned, decisively. "Be of good heart, my precious
one, we shall soon have passed all this and be happy together."

"Heaven grant it," replied Dorothy, fervently, "but it is a terrible
time now. With you exposed to danger every hour outside, and every
hand against me in the house, save Lettice, 'tis terrible, terrible!"
and the maiden burst into tears.

"Poor Doll," said Manners, as he tenderly supported her. "Your lot is
hard, but there will be a change ere long. The wind does not always
blow from one quarter, you know; it will alter soon."

"I fear me not," replied the maiden disconsolately.

"Oh, surely, when they see what an unconquerable will thou hast. Sir
George loves thee too well to lightly disregard thy happiness. He
loves you dearly; he will surely repent ere the time comes, for he
hath a tender heart for thee."

Dorothy laid her hand upon his arm and beckoned him to be still,
pointing at the same time to a thick mass of the thick foliage with
which they were surrounded.

"Hist," she whispered. "Methought I heard the sound of footsteps,