"It is for this, mainly, that I sacrifice myself, but also because I
cannot endure the dishonour of a laggard in love and a recreant
bridegroom.
"So much for my motives: now to my tale.
"The day before our wedding-day had been the happiest in my life. Never
had I felt so certain of Olive's affections, never so fortunate in my
own. We parted in the soft moonlight; she, no doubt, to finish her
nuptial preparations; I, to seek my couch in the little rural inn above
the roaring waters of the Budon. {3}
"Move eastward, happy earth, and leave
Yon orange sunset fading slow;
From fringes of the faded eve
Oh, happy planet, eastward go,
I murmured, though the atmospheric conditions were not really those
described by the poet.
"Ah, bear me with thee, smoothly borne,
Dip forward under starry light,
And move me to my marriage morn,
And round again to--
"'River in grand order, sir,' said the voice of Robins, the keeper, who
recognised me in the moonlight. 'There's a regular monster in the
Ashweil,' he added, naming a favourite cast; 'never saw nor heard of such
a fish in the water before.'
"'Mr. Dick must catch him, Robins,' I answered; 'no fishing for me to-
morrow.'
"'No, sir,' said Robins, affably. 'Wish you joy, sir, and Miss Olive,
too.
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