'For fear of papa; my correspondents are so few, his suspicions might be excited.'

'How hard is this!—surely we might write to each other occasionally,' urged Bevil, caressing her.

'No, my dearest; I dislike the idea of a correspondence that is clandestine, however romantic it may be; and if papa discovered it he would deem it so dishonourable in me—so dishonourable to himself.'

'But you will meet me?'

'I shall try, Bevil—I shall try; oh, I cannot help coming to meet you now.'

'Allow me, darling, till I can place another there!' exclaimed Bevil, as he slipped a ring on her engagement finger.

'Oh, Bevil,'—but whatever she was about to say he stopped in a very effectual manner.

'You will wear this for my sake,' he whispered.

'I will, darling.'

'Say always.'