'Yes. It is not as if we had from the beginning acted in opposition to your papa's wishes. Only think, Elfie, how pleasant he was towards me but six hours ago! He liked me, praised me, never objected to my being alone with you.'
'I believe he MUST like you now,' she cried. 'And if he found that you irremediably belonged to me, he would own it and help you. 'O Stephen, Stephen,' she burst out again, as the remembrance of his packing came afresh to her mind, 'I cannot bear your going away like this! It is too dreadful. All I have been expecting miserably killed within me like this!'
Stephen flushed hot with impulse. 'I will not be a doubt to you--thought of you shall not be a misery to me!' he said. 'We will be wife and husband before we part for long!'
She hid her face on his shoulder. 'Anything to make SURE!' she whispered.
'I did not like to propose it immediately,' continued Stephen. 'It seemed to me--it seems to me now--like trying to catch you--a girl better in the world than I.'
'Not that, indeed! And am I better in worldly station? What's the use of have beens? We may have been something once; we are nothing now.'
Then they whispered long and earnestly together; Stephen hesitatingly proposing this and that plan, Elfride modifying them, with quick breathings, and hectic flush, and unnaturally bright eyes. It was two o'clock before an arrangement was finally concluded.
She then told him to leave her, giving him his light to go up to his own room. They parted with an agreement not to meet again in the morning. After his door had been some time closed he heard her softly gliding into her chamber.