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marriage after such a short acquaintance?”

    ” It does not seem short. We have met every day. I know that you are all I want, and that is enough for me.”

    I was silent. In spite of Fanny’s attitude I had not considered marriage with Gabriel. We were the best of friends and I should be desolate if he went away ; but when I thought of marriage he seemed almost like a stranger. He aroused my curiosity and interest; he was unlike anyone I had ever known and, because of that certain mystery which shrouded his personality, he attracted me very much; but until this moment I had thought of him mainly as a person whom good fortune had sent my way at an important moment. There was so little I knew about him; I had never met any of his people. Indeed when they, or his home, briefly intruded into our conversation I was immediately conscious of Gabriel’s withdrawing from me, as though there were secrets in his life which he was not prepared to share with me. In view of all this I thought it very strange that he should suddenly suggest marriage.

    He went on: ” Catherine, what is your answer?”

    ” It is No, Gabriel. There is so much we do not know about each other.”

    ” You mean there is so much you do not know about me.”

    ” Perhaps that is what I mean.”

    “But what do you want to know? We love horses; we love dogs; we find pleasure in each other’s company; I can laugh and be happy with you.

    What more could I ask than to laugh and be happy for the rest of my life? “

    ” And with others … in your home … you cannot laugh and be happy?”

    ” I could never be completely happy with anyone else but you; I could never laugh so freely.”

    ” It seems a flimsy structure on which to base a marriage.”

    “You are being cautious, Catherine. You feel I have spoken too soon.”

    I knew then how desolate I should be if he went away, and I said quickly: ” Yes, that is it. This is too soon….”

    ” At least,” he said, ” I do not have to fear a rival. Do not 29 say No, Catherine. Think of how much I want this to be … and try to want it a little yourself.”

    I stood up. I was no longer in the mood to stay on the moors. He made no protest and we rode to the village, where he said good-bye to me.

    When I reached the stables Friday was waiting there for me, He always knew when I had gone out riding and never failed to be in the stableyard watching for my return.

    He waited patiently until I had given Wanda to one of the lads, then he flung himself at me, making sure that I was fully aware of his pleasure in my return. Many dogs have that lovable quality, but in Friday it was stronger than usual because it was touched by an extreme humility.
    He stood aside while my attention was given to others, waiting patiently until it was his turn. I believed that the memory of early wretchedness always remained with Friday, and that was why in all his exuberant affection there was that touch of deep humility and gratitude.

    I lifted him in my arms and he sniffed my jacket with ecstacy.

    I hugged him. I was growing more and more fond of him with every day, and my affection for him enhanced my feelings for Gabriel.

    Even as I turned into the house I was wondering what marriage with Gabriel would be like. I was already beginning to believe that it was a state which I could contemplate without abhorrence.

    What would my life in Glen House be like when Gabriel went away? I should ride Wanda, walk with Friday, but one could not be out of doors for ever. The winter would come. Winters were harsh in the moorland country ; there were days at a stretch when it was impossible to venture out unless one wanted to risk death in the blizzards. I thought of long dark days in the house—the weary monotonous round. It was true that Uncle Dick might come home ; but his visits could not be of very long duration and I could remember from the past how life seemed doubly dull after he had left.

    It occurred to me then that