She consented, and the oars rested once more. With her eyes fixed on the distant mountains, Lyle began her song:
“Love is come with a song and a smile.”
At the first words, Morton Rutherford started, and as he fixed his eyes on the beautiful singer, her fair form and shining hair outlined against the silvery cascades, it seemed to him the loveliest sight of his whole life.
Her voice, exquisitely sweet as she began, gained in expression and power, until she sang as she had never sung before; and as the last notes died away, Houston, bending his head low, whispered to Miss Gladden:
“Leslie, my dear, do you think now that Lyle’s heart is not susceptible? She never could sing that song in that way if she knew nothing of love.”
And Miss Gladden made no reply, for her own heart was too full for words.
The song was ended, and Lyle’s eyes suddenly met the dark ones fixed upon her face, and though no words were spoken, she read in their depths that hers was not the only heart to which love had come.