Madge mounted, and the groom led her horse to me and placed the reins in my hands.
"Is it you, Malcolm ?" asked Madge.
"Yes," I responded, in a voice husky with emotion.

"I cannot thank you enough for coming to say farewell.

You have forgiven me ?" "Yes," responded Madge, almost in tears, "but I have not come to say farewell." I did not understand her meaning.
"Are you going to ride part of the way with me--perhaps to Rowsley ?" I asked, hardly daring to hope for so much.
"To France, Malcolm, if you wish to take me," she responded murmuringly.
For a little time I could not feel the happiness that had come upon me in so great a flood.

But when I had collected my scattered senses, I said:-- "I thank God that He has turned your heart again to me.

May I feel His righteous anger if ever I give you cause to regret the step you are taking." "I shall never regret it, Malcolm," she answered softly, as she held out her hand to me.
Then we rode by the dove-cote, out from Haddon Hall, never to see its walls again.
We went to Rutland, whence after a fortnight we journeyed to France.