I was convinced that of themselves these mists round her native intelligence, engendered by a solitary and musing childhood, would subside in the fuller daylight of wedded life.

She seemed pained when she saw how resolutely I shunned a subject dear to her thoughts.

She made one or two timid attempts to renew it, but my grave looks sufficed to check her.

Once or twice indeed, on such occasions, she would turn away and leave me, but she soon came back; that gentle heart could not bear one unkindlier shade between itself and what it loved.

It was agreed that our engagement should be, for the present, confided only to Mrs.Poyntz.When Mrs.Ashleigh and Lilian returned, which would be in a few weeks at furthest, it should be proclaimed; and our marriage could take place in the autumn, when I should be most free for a brief holiday from professional toils.
So we parted-as lovers part.