her, and swear that she should eat of his bread and drink of his
cup, and be unto him as a daughter, till the last day of their joint
existence. When she crept so close to him and pressed his arm, he
was almost overcome by the sweetness of her love and by the
tenderness of his own heart.

'It seems to me that you don't understand,' he said at last. 'I
didn't think that such a girl as you would be so silly.'

To this she made no reply; and then they began to walk down the hill
together.

They had walked half way home, he stepping a little in advance,--
because he was still angry with her, or angry rather with himself in
that he could not bring himself to scold her properly,--and she
following close behind his shoulder, when he stopped suddenly and
asked her a question which came from the direction his thoughts were
taking at the moment. 'You are sure,' he said, 'that you are not
doing this because you expect George to come back to you?'

'Quite sure,' she said, bearing forward a moment, and answering him
in a whisper when she spoke.

'By my word, then, I can't understand it. I can't indeed. Has
Urmand done anything to offend you?'

'Nothing, uncle.'

'Nor said anything?'