'If I appear before him some time hence as a man of established name, he will accept me--I know he will.

He is not a wicked man.' 'No, he is not wicked.

But you say "some time hence," as if it were no time.

To you, among bustle and excitement, it will be comparatively a short time, perhaps; oh, to me, it will be its real length trebled! Every summer will be a year--autumn a year--winter a year! O Stephen! and you may forget me!' Forget: that was, and is, the real sting of waiting to fond-hearted woman.

The remark awoke in Stephen the converse fear.