Dale smiled again—this time in triumph.
"You like them?" he asked softly, caressing the little words with his musical, lingering tones.
"Oh, yes, yes," she said, looking at him once more for a moment, and then hastily away.
"I'll write you a volume twice as good, if—I may."
"Twice as good?" she echoed, with a laugh. "Now, honestly, don't you think these perfect yourself?"
"They are good—better than any I wrote before"—he paused to watch her face, and went on in a lower voice: "I knew you; but I shall do better the more I know you and the better."
Janet had no light answer ready now. Her heart was beating, and she had much ado not to bid him end her sweet, unbearable excitement.
They had reached the end of the terrace and passed into the wood that skirted it to the west. Suddenly she made a movement as if to turn and go back.
"No, no," he whispered in her ear; and, as she wavered, he caught her by the arm, and, without words of asking or of doubt, drew her to him and kissed her.
"My beauty, my queen, my love!" he whispered. "You love me, you love me!"