Beyond the Rocks

Morella Winmarleigh had been taking an evening stroll with Lord

Wensleydown. They had come upon the two in the summer-house quite by

accident, but now they had caught them they would stick to them, and

make their walk as tiresome as possible, they both decided to

themselves.

After very great emotion such as Hector and Theodora had been

experiencing, to have this uncongenial and hateful pair as companions

was impossible to bear.

Neither Hector or Theodora stirred or made room for them on the seat.

"Isn't this a sweet place, Lord Wensleydown?" Miss Winmarleigh said.

"Why have you never brought me here before? How did you find it,

Hector?" turning to him in a determined fashion. "You will have to show

us the way back, as we are quite lost!" and she giggled irritatingly.

"The first turn to the right at the end of the willows," said Hector,

with what politeness he could summon up, "and I am sure you will be

able to get to the house quite safely. As you are in such a hurry, don't

let us keep you. Mrs. Brown and I are going the other way by the river,

when we do start."

"Oh, we are not in a hurry at all," said Lord Wensleydown. "Do come with

us, Mrs. Brown, we are feeling so lonely."

Theodora rose. She could bear no more of this.

"Let us go," she said to Hector, and they started, leading the way. And

for a while they heard the others in mocking titters behind them, but

presently, when near the house, they quickened their pace, and were

again alone and free from their tormentors.

They had not spoken at all in this hateful walk, and now he turned to

her.

"My darling," he said, "life seems over for me."

"And for me, too, Hector," she said. "And when we come to this dark

piece of wood I want you to kiss me once more and say good-bye forever,

and go out of my life." There was a passionate sob in her voice. "And

oh! Bien-aimé, please promise me you will leave to-morrow. Do not make

it more impossible to bear than it already is."

But he was silent with pain. A mad, reckless revolt at fate flooded all

his being.

It was past eight o'clock now, and when they came to the soothing gloom

of the dark firs he crushed her in his arms, and a great sob broke from

him and rent her heart.