It was my destiny--my destiny! I seemed to fathom it....

For when you spoke to me on the parade at the Middle Fort, such a thrill of happiness possessed me----" "You rebuked and rebuked me, sweeting!" "Because all my solicitude was for you, and how it might disgrace you." "I could have knelt there at your ragged feet, in sight of all the fort!" "Could you truly, Euan ?" "As willingly as I kneel at prayer!" "How dear and gallant and sweet you are to me----" She broke off in dismay.

"Ai-me! Heaven pity us both, for we are saying what should wait to be said, and have talked of love only while vowing not to do so!...
Let loose my hand, Euan--that somehow has stolen into yours.

Ai-me! This is a very maze I seem to travel in, with every pitfall hiding all I would avoid, and everywhere ambush laid for me....

Listen, dear lad, I am more pitifully at your mercy than I dreamed of.