She was crying again, passionately, and he gripped both her hands and held them tightly in his.
“Never give up hope, Rose. Whatever happens, I believe his soul will come through. You saved that in the earliest days of all, when he was little, once and for ever.”
“We did it together,” said Rose. “You’ve always been there, backing me, ever since we first came to Squires, Ces and I, and they were so angry because he took your little musical snuff-box. Do you remember?”
He nodded.
“How many years ago?”
“Nearly twelve years ago, Rose. And it’s over ten since I first asked you to marry me.”
She gave him a long look, and the ghost of a smile, the shy, mirthful smile that was also Cecil’s. “Well,” said Rose Aviolet, “I think you need only ask me one more time.”
“Really, Rose?”
“Really.”
“Will you marry me?”