Oh, Hugh, Hugh! are your wits frozen like this winter marsh?
Not thus can you save me." The young man thought a while, staring at the ground and biting his lips.

Then he looked up suddenly and said: "How much do you love me, Eve ?" With a slow smile, she opened her arms, and next moment they were kissing each other as heartily as ever man and maid have kissed since the world began, so heartily, indeed, that when at length she pushed him from her, her lovely face was as red as the cloak she wore.
"You know well that I love you, to my sorrow and undoing," she said, in a broken voice.

"From childhood it has been so between us, and till the grave takes one or both it will be so, and for my part beyond it, if the priests speak true.

For, whatever may be your case, I am not one to change my fancy.

When I give, I give all, though it be of little worth.
In truth, Hugh, if I could I would marry you to-night, though you are naught but a merchant's son, or even----" And she paused, wiping her eyes with the back of her slim, strong hand.
"I thank you," he answered, trembling with joy.