She hesitated, walking with slower steps and then stopping. As he did not speak she broke the silence in a low tone—
“What do you wish to say to me?”
“Are you sorry you are leaving Cornwall?” he hesitatingly began.
She made a slight indifferent gesture. “Yes, but it does not matter. Mother is dead, and my father does not care for me.” She flushed a deep red and hastily added, “No one will miss me. I am so alone.”
“You are not alone!” he impetuously exclaimed—“I love you, Sisily—that is what I wished to say. I came here to tell you.”
He caught a swift fleeting glance from her dark eyes, immediately veiled.
“Do you really mean what you say?” she replied, a little unsteadily.
“Yes, Sisily. I have loved you ever since I first met you,” he replied. “And, since then, I have loved you more and more.”
“Oh, why have you told me this now?” she exclaimed. “You think I am lonely, and you are sorry for me. I cannot stay longer. Aunt will be waiting for me.”
He sprang before her in the narrow path.