'Why should we return? I cannot go back to that girl. Oh, the miserable life we are leading!'
'What can we do? We must go back; we cannot live in a tent by the wayside. We have no tent to set up.'
'Come to London, and be my wife.'
'No,' she said; 'that is impossible. Let us not speak of it.'
Hubert did not answer; and, turning their faces homeward, they walked some way in silence. Suddenly Hubert said—
'No; it is impossible. I cannot return. There is no use. I'm at the end of my tether. I cannot.'
She looked at him in alarm.
'Hubert,' she said, 'this is folly! I cannot return without you.'
'You ruin my life; you refuse me the only happiness. I'm more wretched than I can tell you!'
'And I! Do you think that I'm not wretched?' She raised her face to his; her eyes were full of tears. He caught her in his arms, and kissed her. The warm touch of her lips, the scent of her face and hair, banished all but desire of her.