For just a moment, I declare she became twenty years younger! She blushed as I have never seen a woman blush before or since--the colour flowed all over her neck as well as her face.

Before I could say a word, she caught hold of my hand, and (of all the confusing things in the world!) kissed it.

'No!' she cried, 'don't despise me! don't laugh at me! Wait, and hear what my life has been, and then you will understand why a little kindness overpowers me.' She looked round the corner of the fishing-house suspiciously.

'I don't want anybody else to hear us,' she said, 'all the pride isn't beaten out of me yet.

Come to the lake, and row me about in the boat.' I took her out in the boat.