"
He arose to his feet, and caught her in his strong arms, with a glad
smile.
"My dearest," he said, kissing her passionately, and then for a few
moments neither of them spoke. "We will begin a new life," he said, at
length. "We will put the sad past away from us, and think of it only as
a dream."
"But this secret will still fret you," she murmured.
"It will wear away with time and with change of scene," he answered
sadly.
"Change of scene!" she repeated in a startled tone. "Are you going
away?"
"Yes; I have sold my station, and intend leaving Australia for ever
during the next three months."
"And where are you going?" asked the girl, rather bewildered.
"Anywhere," he said a little bitterly. "I am going to follow the
example of Cain, and be a wanderer on the face of the earth!"
"Alone!"
"That is what I have come to see you about," said Brian,
looking steadily at her. "I have come to ask you if you will marry me
at once, and we will leave Australia together."
She hesitated.
"I know it is asking a great deal," he said, hurriedly, "to leave your
friends, your position, and"--with hesitation--"your father; but
think of my life without you--think how lonely I shall be, wandering
round the world by myself; but you will not desert me now I have so
much need of you--you will come with me and be my good angel in the
future as you have been in the past?"
She put her hand on his arm, and looking at him with her clear, grey
eyes, said--"Yes!"
"Thank God for that," said Brian, reverently, and there was again a
silence.
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