“The hotel people sent a porter home with him lest he should be robbed. Next day I made inquiries, and this porter told me where he lived. I went there and bought this purse from him. I knew some day it would bring me to you. I have carried it over my heart ever since.”
“So you noticed me?”
“I saw you all the time I was singing. I have never forgotten you since that hour.”
“What made you sing?”
“Compassion, fate, an urgent impulse; perhaps, indeed, your piteous face—I saw it first.”
“Really?”
“I saw it first. I saw it all the time I was singing. When you dropped this purse my soul met yours in a moment’s greeting. It was a promise. I knew I should meet you again. I have loved you ever since. I wanted to tell you so the hour we met. It has been hard to keep my secret so long.”
“It was my secret also.”
“I love you beyond all words. My life is in your hands. You can make me the gladdest of mortals. You can send me away forever.”
“Oh, no, I could not! I could not do that!” The rest escapes words; but thus it was that on this day of days these two came by God’s grace to each other.