"
"No more has mine."
"Is it so? Then you must try and get the two ladies to speak to each
other. But something tells me that a way will be opened. Have patience;
have faith; and do not mind a check or two; but persevere, remembering
that 'blessed are the peace-makers.'"
She then rose, and they took leave of her.
"Give me a kiss, children," said she. "You have done me a world of
good. My own heart often flags on the road, and you have warmed and
comforted it. God bless you!"
And so they parted.
Compton and Ruperta walked homeward. Ruperta was very thoughtful, and
Compton could only get monosyllables out of her. This discouraged, and
at last vexed him.
"What have I done," said he, "that you will speak to anybody but me?"
"Don't be cross, child," said she; "but answer me a question. Did you
put your tippet round me in that wood?"
"I suppose so."
"Oh, then you don't remember doing it, eh?"
"No; that I don't."
"Then what makes you think you did?"
"Because they say so. Because I must have been such an awful cad if I
didn't. And I was always much fonder of you than you were of me. My
tippet! I'd give my head sooner than any harm should come to you,
Ruperta!"
Ruperta made no reply, but, being now at Highmore, she put out her hand
to him, and turned her head away.
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