They went on again together.
She spoke of his father, of the talk of the countryside.

But he had an argument for each of hers.
"Be brave for just a little, Stella.

Once we are married there will be no trouble," and with his arms about her she was eager to believe.
Stella Ballantyne sat late that night in the armchair in her bedroom, her eyes fixed upon the empty grate, in a turmoil of emotion.

She grew cold and shivered.

A loud noise of birds suddenly burst through the open window.