"If you want to. But I know."
"You don't know the half. I have had to conquer all sorts of fears, chiefly for you. For me it's nothing. I'd rather have one minute of you and lose you to-morrow than not to have had you. But for you!" A wistful shade fell upon his face. "My own dear child!" he mused. "It must be well for you."
"It will be well."
"It shall. It's a great adventure, Rose. It's a big challenge—the biggest. I promise you—"
"No! no!"
"Yes. I promise you my undying faith. And I won't be a coward."
She was looking at him, smiling.
"You're a darling lover," she said. "Such pretty words!"
Then they laughed.
"This is nothing to what I can do," said Osmond. "I shall read the poets."