dare to say you do
not love me--"

"You have not asked me," she murmured.

"No, I said I would not yesterday. A tender word would have brought me to
your feet--and I was very sore."

"If you were a woman, you would have understood and--"

"Oh, wait a little," he said. "You are going to ask me to marry you,
Leila Grey--" She was on her feet. "Take care," he cried, and a smile on
the strong battle-tried face arrested her angry outburst.

She said only, "Why?--I ask--you--why indeed?"

"Because, Leila, you owe it to my self-respect--because you have given
that which implies love, and all I ask--"

She looked up at him with eyes that implored pity, but all she found
herself able to say was, "I don't understand."

"You kissed me in the cabin this afternoon--I was not asleep--I had half
risen when I heard you, and I fell back in wondering quiet to see what
you would do or say when you should wake me up."

She was silent.

"And then you kissed me--"

"Oh, John! how wicked of you--why did you keep so still?"

"I waited--longing."

"For what?"

"Hoping you would kiss me again."

"What! twice?" she cried. "How could you think I would kiss you twice--I
was so ashamed--"

"Well, Leila?"

She began to feel that she was perilously close to tears, as he said
softly, "Leila Grey!"

"John Penhallow, will you take me--oh, John! I love you."

He caught her hand and touched it with his lips reverently.

"If," she cried, "if you do not give me back my kiss, I shall die of
shame."

He bent over her and kissed her forehead lightly, as though he were in
fear of too familiar approach to a thing too sacred for a rude caress. A
great surf-like rush of comprehension swept over the woman. "Was I so
loved as this--so honoured?" Then she said suddenly, "You are pale--are
you in pain?" for she saw him grasp the wounded arm and set his teeth.

"Yes, yes--sometimes--when things happen--it wakes up and reminds me. I
shall be better in a moment. Take care"--for her arms were around him--"I
think, dear, I am not yet as strong as I shall be--but love is a great
tonic, and--I can bear no more to-night. I am in pain. I fear this has
been too much for me."

Then he kissed her on lips that took it as a great draft from the
fountain of youth and love. "To-morrow, dear, we will ride together--in
the morning. Ah, together!"

"Where--Jack?"

"Oh, into fairyland! God bless you! Great Heavens, how beautiful you are!
Good-night!"