Madaline sat down by the brook-side.

Her head ached for want of sleep, her heart was stirred by a hundred varied emotions.
Did she love him?
Why ask herself the question?
She did love him--she trembled to think how much.

It was that very love which made her hesitate.

She hardly dared to think of him.

In her great humility she overlooked entirely the fact of her own great personal loveliness, her rare grace and gifts.