"There is only one thing you could give," he answered unsteadily. "Perhaps I ought not to ask it, but if anything were to happen to either of us—we are soon to be separated—it would mean much to me if I could carry away the remembrance of one kiss."
Gwen stood in front of him with drooping head. Suppose anything were to happen to either of them! She lifted her face and he kissed her gently, holding her close to him for one moment, and then letting her go. "It shall not be a long time," he said passionately. "I must have the right soon. I shall work as never man worked before."
"Don't work too hard," said Gwen, with the solicitude of the woman who loves. "I can wait—I will wait, Kenneth, no matter how long, and what does it matter how long when—we love each other?"
The last words were spoken so low that he must bend his head to hear them, and for the moment his self-control was flung to the winds. "My darling!" he said, "we love each other. Bless you for saying what I dared not say." He drew her close again, and kissed her lips, her eyes, her hair, then put her from him. "It will not do," he sighed. "I cannot be a selfish beast. I will not demand anything from you. I want you to be as free as ever, but I shall never forget this blessed hour. No matter what happens, I shall have had this."
"'Now who can take from us what has been ours?'" quoted Gwen softly. "Yes, Kenneth, dear, it is best for us to be only friends, though in our hearts we feel that we are otherwise. I won't, won't, won't stand in the way of your career."
"And I won't, won't, won't stand in the way of your future if it chances that you should become tired of waiting."
"I'll not tire, but all the same we are to be friends, just good friends and comrades."
Just then a step interrupted them, and Gwen turned to greet Cap'n Ben, who had come to say that Ora wanted to see Miss Whitridge.
"I will go, of course I will," Gwen responded. She turned to Kenneth. "You will come back later?"
"This afternoon, if I may, and I will bring some of my sketches for you to see."