Oh, my beloved--my own at last!" and then Malcolm's long, passionate kiss set the seal to their betrothal, and for a little while there was the silence of a great peace.
An hour had passed--no one had come in search of them, and the evening shadows were beginning to steal over the Pool--but still they sat hand in hand, talking earnestly and lovingly after the manner of lovers, until the gong warned them that it was time to return to the house.

But even then they lingered.
"Is the spirit of the Pool properly exorcised now, Malcolm ?" asked Elizabeth, with her old playfulness.

Then he clasped her close.
"I have her safe in my own keeping.

Dearest," in a low, vibrating tone full of tenderness, "if I ever grow supine or forgetful in my great happiness, and the memory of these long years of misery and unrest fade away, you must bring me here and I shall remember." "You shall remember nothing but that I love you," she whispered.
"Malcolm, you will not leave me to-morrow?
I cannot part with you so soon." And he promised that he would certainly remain over Sunday.
Elizabeth had not entirely laid aside her mourning, but the black silk dress she selected that evening fitted her exquisitely, and the dull, heavy folds suited her tall, queenly figure.

She looked at herself for a moment, then with a hesitating hand she fastened a spray of white lilac in her dress.