“Your ladyship’s cousin?” exclaimed the woman, in surprise. “Oh, sir, that brings you closer to my heart! I’ve told my lady all about it.”
“How brave you were!” murmured Margery, as she drew her hand from Stuart’s firm clasp.
“Brave! I did nothing. But, come, cousin—you ought to be going. Shall I see you home? Will you let me?”
“If you please.”
Margery bent and kissed the child softly, then put out her hand to Mrs. David.
“I will come to-morrow and see how he is. Don’t forget to send to-night.”
“I will not, thank you again and again, my lady!”
Margery smiled, and walked to the door. The small, homely room seemed suddenly illumined by a strange, mysterious light, golden and strong as the sun. Stuart drew the door after them, then put out his hand without a word, and Margery placed her own in his.
He led her from the cottage to a sheltered spot, and then stood looking down at her with eyes that shone like stars in the passion of his love.
“Margery,” he said, quietly, “I have come to you. Have you no word of hope for me?”