"Sit down and rest," said Brian, persuasively, as she turned away. "There is a little shade here; and the others will no doubt join us by-and-bye. You must be tired."
"I am not tired, but I will sit down for a little while," said Elizabeth.
She seated herself on a stone beside the well; and Brian also sat down, but rather below her, so that he seemed to be sitting at her feet, and could look up into her face when he spoke. He kept silence at first, but said at last, with gentle deference of tone:—
"Miss Murray, there was something that you said you would tell me when you had the opportunity."
She paused before she answered.
"Not just now," he understood her to say at last, but her words were low and indistinct.
"Then—may I tell you something?"
She spoke more clearly in reply.
"I think not."
"Forgive me for saying so, but you must hear it some time. Why not now?"