"I know he will," said Armindy, firmly; but a shadow fell upon her face, and Ephraim could see that she looked older, more serious, than in former days. But what a fine, elastic step she had! what supple curves in her figure! His eyes dwelt upon her with admiration, with despair. He loved her as deeply as ever. She stepped out of the room and went away to the spring. He followed her, determined to find out the cause of her presence in his mother's house.
He vividly remembered that other night when they stood at the spring together, and raised his eyes to Brandreth's Peak, but the moon hung low in the west, a pale crescent, Armindy knelt by the spring, dipping up the water, when his shadow came between her and the faint moonlight. She glanced up, then sprang to her feet, half-frightened; the next moment she ran to him and fell weeping on his neck.
"Eph'um! Eph'um! I said you'd come! I've always said you'd come!"
He gathered her to him; then tried to push her away.
"Don't—I—where is 'Lishy?" he stammered.
"I don't know. What do you want to think o' him for, now?" she cried, looking at him with wet eyes, drawing his face down to hers.
"Ain't you 'Lishy's wife?"
She fell back a little.
"Did you think I'd marry him? I loved you, Eph'um—you."
"Is that the reason you 're here with my mother?"