Together we went along the path through the wood, she keeping equal step with me in wifely way.
When we had come through the trees near enough to see the roof of the Castle, now gilded with the moonlight, she stopped, and looking at me with eyes full of love, said: "Here I must leave you!" "What ?" I was all aghast, and I felt that my chagrin was expressed in the tone of horrified surprise in my voice.

She went on quickly: "Alas! It is impossible that I should go farther--at present!" "But what is to prevent you ?" I queried.

"You are now my wife.

This is our wedding-night; and surely your place is with me!" The wail in her voice as she answered touched me to the quick: "Oh, I know, I know! There is no dearer wish in my heart--there can be none--than to share my husband's home.

Oh, my dear, my dear, if you only knew what it would be to me to be with you always! But indeed I may not--not yet! I am not free! If you but knew how much that which has happened to-night has cost me--or how much cost to others as well as to myself may be yet to come--you would understand.