"He is ill--he wants pity, affection.

I will accept no bond that forces me to disown him." "Pity and affection are to me the most sacred things in the world," he said, kissing her hand gently.

"Be content--be at rest--my beautiful lady!" There was again silence, full of thought on her side, of heavenly happiness on his.

The sun had sunk almost to the verge of the plain, the wind had freshened.
"We _must_ go home," she said, springing up.

"Taylor must have got there an hour ago.