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Mollie lowered her eyes and the long fringe of her lashes lay in a burnished semi-circle on her cheek.

“I think,” she said slowly, “that it must have been very delightful in Eden. But we are not really there, you know–we are only playing that we are. And it is time for me to go back. I must get the breakfast–that sounds too prosaic for paradise.”

Murray bent still closer.

“Before we remember that we are only playing at paradise, will you kiss me, dear Eve?”

“You are very audacious,” said Mollie coldly.

“We are in Eden yet,” he urged. “That makes all the difference.”

“Well,” said Mollie. And Murray kissed her.

They had passed back over the fern path and were in the pasture before either spoke again. Then Murray said, “We have left Eden behind–but we can always return there when we will. And although we were only playing at paradise, I was not playing at love. I meant all I said, Mollie.”

“Have you meant it often?” asked Mollie significantly.

“I never meant it–or even played at it–before,” he answered. “I did–at one time–contemplate the possibility of playing at it. But that was long ago–as long ago as last night. I am glad to the core of my soul that I decided against it before I met you, dear Eve. I have the letter of decision in my coat pocket this moment. I mean to mail it this afternoon.”

“‘Curiosity knows no gender,'” quoted Mollie.

“Then, to satisfy your curiosity, I must bore you with some personal history. My parents died when I was a little chap, and my uncle brought me up. He has been immensely good to me, but he is a bit of a tyrant. Recently he picked out a wife for me–the daughter of an old sweetheart of his. I have never even seen her. But she has arrived in town on a visit to some relatives there. Uncle Dick wrote to me to return home at once and pay my court to the lady; I protested. He wrote again–a letter, short and the reverse of sweet. If I refused to do my best to win Miss Mannering he would disown me–never speak to me again–cut me off with a quarter. Uncle always means what he says–that is one of our family traits, you understand. I spent some miserable, undecided days. It was not the threat of disinheritance that worried me, although when you have been brought up to regard yourself as a prospective millionaire it is rather difficult to adjust your vision to a pauper focus. But it was the thought of alienating Uncle Dick. I love the dear, determined old chap like a father. But last night my guardian angel was with me and I decided to remain my own man. So I wrote to Uncle Dick, respectfully but firmly declining to become a candidate for Miss Mannering’s hand.”

“But you have never seen her,” said Mollie. “She may be–almost–charming.”

“‘If she be not fair to me, what care I how fair she be?'” quoted Murray. “As you say, she may be–almost charming; but she is not Eve. She is merely one of a million other women, as far as I am concerned. Don’t let’s talk of her. Let us talk only of ourselves–there is nothing else that is half so interesting.”

“And will your uncle really cast you off?” asked Mollie.

“Not a doubt of it.”

“What will you do?”

“Work, dear Eve. My carefully acquired laziness must be thrown to the winds and I shall work. That is the rule outside of Eden. Don’t worry. I’ve painted pictures that have actually been sold. I’ll make a living for us somehow.”

“Us?”

“Of course. You are engaged to me.”

“I am not,” said Mollie indignantly.

“Mollie! Mollie! After that kiss! Fie, fie!”

“You are very absurd,” said Mollie, “But your absurdity has been amusing. I have–yes, positively–I have enjoyed your Eden comedy. But now you must not come any further with me. My aunt might not approve. Here is my path to Orchard Knob farmhouse. There, I presume, is yours to Sweetbriar Cottage. Good morning.”