Page:Lorna Doone - a romance of Exmoor (IA lornadooneromanc269blac).pdf/124

 be on the other side, never, never doubt her. Now no more of your 'coortin,' John! I love you far too well for that. Yes, yes, ever so much! If you will take a mean advantage of me. As much as ever you like to imagine; and then you may double it, after that. Only go, do go, good John; kind, dear, darling John; if you love me, go."

“How can I go, without settling without settling anything?" I asked, very sensibly: "How shall I know of your danger now? Hit upon something; you are so quick. Anything you can think of; and then I will go, and not frighten you."

"I have been thinking long of something," Lorna answered rapidly, with that peculiar clearness of voice, which made every syllable ring like music of a several note, "you see that tree with the seven rooks' nests, bright against the cliffs there? Can you count them, from above, do you think? From a place where you will be safe, dear"

"No doubt, I can; or if I cannot, it will not take me long to find a spot, whence I can do it."

"Gwenny can climb like any cat. She has been up there in the summer, watching the young birds, day by day, and daring the boys to touch them. There are neither birds, nor eggs there now, of course, and nothing doing. If you see but six rooks' nests; I am in peril and want you. If you see but five, I am carried off by Carver."

"Good God!" said I, at the mere idea; in a tone which frightened Lorna.