I do not know what set me on thinking of marrying just then.
She coloured and smiled.
'That will never be. I could not leave him; and besides, no one will ever want to marry a little lame thing like me.'
'Won't they?'
She shook her head again and laughed.
That evening, as we walked down the street, Master Caleb said suddenly, 'She likes you, Willie; she says you are to come again.'
'Does she? Oh, Master Caleb, shouldn't you like to have her there at home, and let her see the Castle and all?'
He put his hand on my shoulder, and said in a low, changed voice, 'If it could be, Willie, if it could. But it never can be—never.'
'She says she cannot leave her father.'
'It isn't only for that; I could never ask her. Look you, Willie; she is just as high above me as the stars.'