BY THE OLD PINE TREE
While Douglas was talking to the people, Nell had slipped out of the church by way of the vestry room. She wanted to be alone that she might think. Her head was aching, and the fresh air made her feel better. She went straight across the field toward her own home, following the path she had so often travelled. This led her to the old pine where she and Douglas had stood on that beautiful day which now seemed so long ago.
Here she stopped and looked out over the river. The water was as clear as glass, and she could see her reflection in the clear depths. Nell believed she was safe here from all interruption, for those who had been at church would go home by the main road. Her mind was greatly agitated, and after a while she sat down by the side of the tree and leaned her head against the trunk. Her face bore a strained look, and her eyes were dry. She felt that she must now banish Douglas from her mind forever. Why had he deceived her? she asked herself over and over again. Why had he come into her life, bringing such joy to her lonely heart, and then dispelling it all in one brief hour? If he had only remained the same ordinary man as when working for Jake Jukes, how happy she would be. She could love him then with all the ardour of a true, pure woman. But a clergyman in disguise! The thought repelled and stung her, even though she knew why he had done it. Henceforth, he would be a changed man, so she believed, hedged about by the dignity and conventions of his position, and no longer the free and companionable John Handyman as she had known him.
As she sat thus and thought, her mind gradually grew calmer, and she became more self-possessed. She even chided herself for feeling so depressed. What was John Handyman to her, anyway? Merely an acquaintance, whom she had known but a few weeks. She really knew nothing about his past life, for he had been most guarded in speaking about himself. Perhaps he was already engaged to some girl, and he may have been with her during his absence from Rixton. She had no guarantee that he loved her, although she believed that he liked to be with her. She recalled how he had held her hand in his and had looked into her eyes in a way that had thrilled her whole being. But no matter where he might go or what he might become, the memory would be ever dear to her. He would never know of her love for him, and the world would not have the slightest suspicion of the deep things of her heart. She would go on her way as in the past, and none would be the wiser.
Nell was now more like her old self, and as people knew her. Her self-reliant and reserved nature had always added a certain dignity to her personal charms. It would, therefore, have been a great surprise to many could they have looked into her heart on this beautiful afternoon and discovered the secret. They would then have found how deep are the real wells of life, that they who feel most keenly say the least, and that the passionate love of a noble woman is often expressed in simple outward acts of gentleness, mercy and truth.
For about half an hour Nell sat there, although the passing of time never once occurred to her. She might have remained thus for the rest of the afternoon, had she not been suddenly aroused by the sound of approaching footsteps. Glancing around, great was her astonishment and embarrassment to see the very one who was in her thoughts hurrying toward her.
As Nell sprang to her feet, her heart was beating rapidly, and the rich blood mantled her cheeks and brow, making her more charming than ever, so Douglas thought. His face was radiant, and his eyes glowed with the intensity of love. His impulsive nature could brook no further delay, neither did mere formal words of affection fall from his lips. Instead, he stepped quickly forward, caught Nell in his arms, and imprinted a kiss upon her trembling lips.
So great was Nell's surprise at this sudden and audacious act, that she was rendered almost powerless. A joy surpassing words possessed her, and she longed to remain forever in her lover's strong embrace. But in a few seconds, a feeling of maidenly reserve swept over her, and she tore away the encircling arms.
"How dare you do such a thing?" she demanded. But the tone of her voice and the expression in her eyes caused Douglas to laugh with rapturous joy.
"You must get up more fire than that if you expect to frighten me," he told her.