"Art very gentle with me ever, Noll," she murmured fondly.

"I cannot credit you are ever harsh to any, as they say." "Heed them not," he answered her.

"I may have been something of all that, but you have purified me, Rose.

What man that loved you could be aught but gentle." He kissed her, and stood up.

"I had best be going now," he said.