Gathered In by Catherine Helen Spence — Read

To return to the memorable day of Kenneth's return to Tingalpa after his pioneer expedition, he took the earliest opportunity after his uncle was quieted and he seemed safe from relapse, to ride to Wilta to make enquiries after Sybil; and his anxious face, and his ill- concealed agitation confirmed Edith Gray in her belief that this was the object of his deep and hopeless love. It was no doubt wrong to fall in love with one bound by sacred vows to another; but when this love asked nothing and gave everything, it seemed to Edith only one of these ironies of fate that so often make or mar the noblest nature. How could he help loving the sweetest woman he had ever seen--the most unhappy, the most in need of a strong helping hand? And to be loved so seemed to a girl whose heart had never been touched by passion, or even by that sentiment which passes for passion with so many women, the most precious thing that could be had in this lower world. The secrecy and the repression of such love contrasted with the open and frank affection which Edith herself had from fond father and loving brothers. She sometimes took herself to task for his interest, her sympathy with what severe morality ought to stigmatise as sinful, especially as she could not help wishing that Ellerton might be put out of the way somehow, for then Sybil might have a chance of happiness even with Mr. Oswald's nephew.

How far was this love returned? Sybil's pale face flushed a little when she received Mr. Kenneth Oswald's kind enquiries as to her health.