That was when you looked at me sitting in the shadow, and I could not take my eyes away quickly and could not meet yours, so that I trembled with fear." "And now there is no fear--no shadow; now you are perfectly happy ?" "Oh, so happy! If the way back to the wood was longer, ten times, and if the great mountains, white with snow on their tops, were between, and the great dark forest, and rivers wider than Orinoco, still I would go alone without fear, because you would come after me, to join me in the wood, to be with me at last and always." "But I should not let you go alone, Rima--your lonely days are over now." She opened her eyes wider and looked earnestly into my face.

"I must go back alone, Abel," she said.

"Before day comes I must leave you.

Rest here, with grandfather, for a few days and nights, then follow me." I heard her with astonishment.

"It must not be, Rima," I cried.