"I love you with all my heart, indeed. And some day, far on, when the world rolls kinder and everybody's wiser, and Mr. Norcot is an angel or a married man—then I'll be your wife, John Lee."
The lad appeared more weighted by this mighty promise than jubilant at it.
"Do 'e call home all it means, my lovely?" he asked. "Do 'e know that your whole beautiful life rests on whether 'tis a wise deed or a vain one?"
Grace nodded.
"Love casts out all fear," she said.
"Then I can only fall back upon God to be on our side," he answered. "'Tis my life and light and heaven on earth to hear you say that. Ay—you shall be my song for evermore. I'll try to live worthy of such bounty. There's no going back now—none, for I'm only flesh and blood, and Michael and all his angels shan't take 'e from me any more!"
Before she could speak he was close at her side and she felt his arm about her waist, his kisses raining upon her cheeks.
"For ever and ever, Grace!"
"Oh yes, dear John. Love never dies."
"If we could ride away over the hills now——" he said, dreaming his golden dream.