"Gloria," he said sadly; "If your love was as great as mine you would
forgive!"
She stood a moment wavering and uncertain; their eyes were riveted on
each other in a strange spiritual attraction--her soft lips were a
little relaxed from their gravity as she steadfastly regarded him. She
was embarrassed, conscious, and very pale; but he drank in gratefully
the wonder and shy worship of those pure eyes,--and waited. Suddenly
she sprang to him and closed her arms about his neck, kissing him with
simple and loving tenderness.
"I do forgive! Oh, I do forgive!" she murmured; "Because I love you, my
darling--because I love you! Whatever you wish I will do for your
love's sake--believe me!--but I am frightened just now!--it is as if I
did not know you--as if someone had taken you suddenly a long way off!
Give me a little time to recover my courage!--and to know"--here a
faint smile trembled on her beautiful curved mouth--"to know,--and to
_feel_,--that you are still my own!--even though the world may try
to part you from me!--still my very own!"
The warmth of passionate feeling in her face flushed it into a rose-
glow that spread from chin to brow,--and clasping her to his breast, he
gave her the speechless answer that love inscribes on eyes and lips,--
then, keeping his arm tenderly about her, he led her gently into the
path through the pinewood, which wound down to their favourite haunt by
the sea.
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