Delwood was by her side.
"Where did you learn the name by which I am called in my island home?"
asked Natalie.
"Why did you never tell us that you have a name in keeping with your
character?" he asked, taking the seat by her side which Winnie, who had
retired to hide her blushes, had vacated.
"'Tis the name by which my father loved to call me, and I associate it
with his sacred memory," she replied; and a tear, which Delwood looked
upon as also sacred, fell upon the hand which clasped her's as with
reverential fervency.
"Your brother told me of the name," he replied, "and will you permit me
to associate with that name all that is of purity? May I not call you by
that name? Can you give one thought to him whose very happiness for life
is dependent on you?"
There was a pause, Delwood had never until this night, declared to her
his love, in so many measured words, which were but coldness in
comparison with the love for her which filled his soul. A year ago would
have sealed his doom, but that night witnessed another scene. Death had
claimed it for his own. The hand which he held was not withdrawn,
neither did a simper mark her reply.
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