“You are right, it is too pure and good. God will not suffer it to be broken. Now, good-bye.”
For we had reached the gate of Bock-mount. It had never struck me before that I had to bid him adieu here, that he did not mean to go in with me to dinner; and when he refused, I felt it very much. His only answer was, for the second time, “that I did not know what I was saying.”
It was now nearly dark, and so misty that I could hardly breathe. Doctor Urquhart insisted on my going in immediately, tied my veil close under my chin, and then hastily untied it.
“Love, do you love me?”
He has told me afterwards, he forgot then for the time being, every circumstance that was likely to part us; everything in the whole world but me. And I trust I was not the only one who felt that it is those alone who? loving as we did, are everything to one another who have most strength to part.
When I came indoors, the first person I met was papa, looking quite bright and pleased; and his first question was:—
“Where is Doctor Urquhart? Penelope said Doctor Urquhart was coming here.”
I hardly know what was done during that evening, or whether they blamed Max or not.
All my care was how best to keep his secret, and literally to obey him concerning it.
Of course, I never named his letter, nor made any attempt to read it till I had bidden good night to them all, and smiled at Penelope's grumbling over my long candles and my large fire, “as if I meant to sit up all night.” Yes, I had taken all these precautions in a quiet, solemn kind of way, for I did not know what was before me, and I must not fall ill if I could help. I was Max's own personal property.