"Forsaken!" said Walter with a smile. "We must follow, but we will not go so fast."
Christina got up, and they stood still for a moment looking at the sunset sky.
"You have laid out very different plans for yourself from those I had been laying out for you, Christina," said Walter rather huskily, turning towards the descent.
"You had made for me?" she said, looking up; then seeing something unexpected in his face, she exclaimed hastily, "Oh, please—please don't!"
"Yes, dear Christina, I must. You will be so very kind as to hear me patiently."
"But it is of no use; and, oh, if you would not say it! I never dreamed of hurting you, Walter."
He paused an instant. "The worst pain is past, Christina. At first I thought I could get over it; but that is of no use; I have given you the love of all my life."
"I cannot return it," she answered in a stifled voice.
"Not now, I know that; but by-and-by, when I come back from India."
"Oh, Walter!" she exclaimed sorrowfully, "I would do anything for you but that."