"And you love me?"
"Oh, how hard you are to satisfy!"
"Still, you will say it?"
"I love you. Will that satisfy your lordship? Now if I were a princess you could not be so hard to satisfy. A nod would answer."
"You are my princess. Now let us go and find your father. I am afraid he has had a rather low opinion of my powers of persuasion."
They were under the great plane tree. Annis was taking a lesson in hemstitching at her mother's knee.
"We have come for your blessing," began the happy lover.
"Which I give gladly. I could not have chosen better for Jaqueline if I had gone half over the world, or at least a son-in-law more acceptable to myself. If I wish you as much happiness as I have had, your cup will be full."
Mrs. Mason rose and kissed the girl with fervent affection. "We all like him so," she whispered to Jaqueline. "Your father will be as happy as your lover."
"Come and give us joy, little Annis. I hope Charles won't protest at your having a new brother."