Now and then, far back in the forest, an owl whoo-whooed in croaking tones, and in a nearby tree a family of baby birds twittered continuously in their sleep.
All the daisies in the meadows, all the nodding buttercups in the fields, seemed to be blossoming in Tessibel's heart at one time. She was in Frederick's arms, and the whole world could offer her nothing more.
"Tessibel, my little love," began Frederick, between caresses, "you remember what I begged you to consent to early in the spring?"
Tess made a movement to sit up.
"Ye mean--?" she stammered, confused.
Frederick drew her close.
"I want you to marry me right away," he murmured, entreatingly.
The words were whispered in passionate sighing out of the darkness into her ear. Tess drew back a little.
"Right away?" she repeated, gulping. "What do ye mean by right away, darlin'?... Now?"
Again strong arms evidenced strong affection.
"Yes--now," answered Frederick, earnestly. "You must! You must!... I can't be happy unless you do--Oh, Tessibel! Won't you, Tess?"
Never had anything thrilled her as his halting insistence.
"An' Daddy Skinner--air he to know?" she stammered, chokingly.
"No, no!"
"An'--yer mother?"
"Well, not--not quite yet, dear."
Two slender hands covered a scarlet face, and tears trickled between tense fingers.
"Then I can't!" Tess caught her breath in a sob. "I jest can't! Oh, why couldn't Daddy know--an' yer mother, too?"
Frederick strained her against his breast.
"Because they can't--not yet," he whispered. "Not a soul must know. Just you and I, darling. It'll be all right, dear, and I need you more and more--every day."
The deepening tones in his voice frightened, while they thrilled her. She pressed him back to look into his eyes, but even through the growing gloom she could see the blue-veined lids were closed.
"Frederick," she murmured, drawing her face backward. "Frederick, let me tell ye somethin'. Everybody had ought to know when a girl gets married. Oh, they ought to know, so they ought. Daddy Skinner an' yer mother, too."
Then of a sudden she was attacked by a strange tugging in her own heart. She tried to free herself from his arms, but her resistance only made him the more determined to bend her to his wish. She had always been submissive, and he'd worshiped her for her womanly acquiescence to his will. Trembling fingers forced her face upward and hot lips sought and found hers. She shivered under the strong masculine pressure.
"Now listen to me, my love," he continued between fierce kisses. "Come with me tomorrow night, and we'll get married and--and--"
Tess was trying heroically to hold to the principle she knew was right, even though her heart directed otherwise.