'See how I can gallop.

Now, Pansy, off!' And Elfride started; and Stephen beheld her light figure contracting to the dimensions of a bird as she sank into the distance--her hair flowing.
He walked on in the same direction, and for a considerable time could see no signs of her returning.

Dull as a flower without the sun he sat down upon a stone, and not for fifteen minutes was any sound of horse or rider to be heard.

Then Elfride and Pansy appeared on the hill in a round trot.
'Such a delightful scamper as we have had!' she said, her face flushed and her eyes sparkling.

She turned the horse's head, Stephen arose, and they went on again.
'Well, what have you to say to me, Mr.Smith, after my long absence ?' 'Do you remember a question you could not exactly answer last night--whether I was more to you than anybody else ?' said he.
'I cannot exactly answer now, either.' 'Why can't you ?' 'Because I don't know if I am more to you than any one else.' 'Yes, indeed, you are!' he exclaimed in a voice of intensest appreciation, at the same time gliding round and looking into her face.
'Eyes in eyes,' he murmured playfully; and she blushingly obeyed, looking back into his.
'And why not lips on lips ?' continued Stephen daringly.
'No, certainly not.