She opened her lips as if to answer; but he would not listen. 'No,' he said, 'not a word. A little "Yes," if you like. If you try to say anything else, Grace, I will seal your lips with kisses.'
He drew a chair beside her, and sat down.
'See how reasonable I am,' he said. 'Give me your hand to hold, so that I may know it is no dream, and we will talk about the future.'
'My beloved,' she said softly, looking at him with wistful tenderness, 'let the future care for itself! We have the present—the moment that is passing now. God in His mercy has given us that.'
'Yes,' said Tom, 'the loveliest moment that earth will ever give us, Grace——'
At this moment Lady Elton, who had been feeling a little uneasy, looked in.
'Haven't you talked long enough, children?' she said.
'I don't know about Grace; but I don't think I could talk long enough,' said Tom. And then he jumped up, like the boy he was, and threw his arms round Lady Elton's neck.
'Wish us joy, little mother!' he whispered. 'I have proposed, and she hasn't said "No."'
'Oh! Tom,' she cried, divided between tears and laughter, 'what a baby you are!'