Canst bear that, Morva, and still be true to me ?" "I don't know," said the girl.
"Canst not believe that I shall love thee as much as ever, and more fervently perhaps than ever ?" "I will try," said Morva; "but I think thou art making a hard path for thyself and me.

'Twould be better far to drop me out of thy life, then thou couldst climb the uphill road without looking back." "And leave thee free to marry another man?
Never, Morva! I claim thy promise.

Remember when thou wast a little girl how I made thee point up to the North Star and promise to marry me some day." "Indeed the star is not there to-night, whatever." "It is there, Morva, only the moonlight is too bright for thee to see it.

It is there unchangeable, as thou hast promised to be to me." "Yes, I have promised; what more need be ?" "Yes, more; thou must tell me again to-night, Morva, that thou wilt be true to me whatever happens--whatever thou mayst hear about me--that thou wilt still believe that in my heart I love thee and thee only.
Dost hear, girl--_whatever_ thou dost hear ?" "I will believe nothing I may hear against thee, Will; nothing at all.
But when I see with my own eyes that thou art weary of me and art ashamed of me, _then_ remember I am free." "But thine eyes may deceive thee." "I will swear by _them_, whatever," said Morva, with spirit.
Will sighed sentimentally.
"What a fate mine is! to be torn like this between my desire to rise in the world and my love for a girl in a--in a humbler position than that to which I aspire!" "Oh, Will bach! thou art getting to talk so grand, and to look so grand.

Take my advice and drop poor Morva of the moor!" "I will not!" said Will.