"Well, forgive me this time."
He caught a branch full of half-open burrs, and peered eagerly in them till he found one to his mind, and pulled it off regardless of the pricking spines, then came and kneeled at her side, and said, "Now, Annie, dear, look into it carefully. This is nature's oracle. You see two solid, plump chestnuts."
"Well?" she said, faintly.
"And you see this false, empty form of shell between them?"
"Yes"—with a touch of sadness.
"That's Hunting, poor wretch! How unspeakable was his loss!" and he tossed the worthless emblem away.
"And now, Annie, loved beyond all words I can ever find to tell you, see how near these two chestnuts are together—as near as you and I are in heart, I trust. Surely my poor pretence of brotherly character has not deceived you for a moment. Won't you please put your dainty fingers down into the burr and join the two together?"
She lifted her drooping eyes a moment to the more eloquent pleading of his face, but they fell as speedily.
In a low, thrilling tone she said, "No, Walter, but you may."
He dropped the burr and sealed the unspoken covenant upon her lips.