"Art glad to see me, lass?"
"Yes, indeed, I am very glad, whatever. Garthowen will be full again; it has been very empty lately."
She was thinking of Gethin, unconsciously, perhaps, and hung her head a little guiltily when Will said:
"Thou didst miss me, then?"
"Of course we all missed thee—thy father especially."
"More than thee, Morva?"
She sighed. "'Tis this way, Will. I am tired of this secrecy. We grew up like brother and sister. Can't we remain like that? Don't ask me for more, and then thou canst rise as high as thou pleasest, and I will be always glad to see thee, and so proud to hear of thy getting on. Will, it will never do for a clergyman to marry his father's milkmaid!"
"Twt, twt," said Will, "let us not think of the future, lass—the present is enough for me; and I promise thee not to allude to our marriage if thou wilt only meet me like this whenever I come home, and let me feel thee close to my heart as thou hast to-night."
"But I will not," said the girl suddenly, withdrawing herself from the arm which he had passed round her waist.
"Why not?" he asked.