There was but one excuse.

He was young, and it was his first love; yet despite his happiness, his pride, his independence, he did often wonder in what words he should tell his father that he had promised to marry the lodge keeper's daughter.

There were even times when he shivered, as one seized with sudden cold, at the thought.
The four days passed like a long, bright dream.

It was a pretty romance, but sadly misplaced--a pretty summer idyll.

They were but boy and girl.