"What woman knows her mind, Sir Fool? Yet if it were not so—"
"If it were not so?" he said, eagerly.
Her eyes became grave on a sudden. "I might believe I had been of one mind—long."
"Jacqueline!—sweet jestress!—"
He caught her suddenly in his arms, his fine young features aglow. This then was the goal of his desires; a goal of delight, far, far beyond all youthful dreams or early imaginings. With drooping eyelids, she stood in his embrace; she, once so proud, so self-willed. He drew her closer—kissed her hair!—the rose!—
She raised her head, and—sweeter still—he kissed her lips.
Across the valley the shadow receded; vanished. In the full glory of nightly splendor lay the earth, and as the mystic radiance lighted up a world of beauty, it seemed at last they beheld their world; the light more beautiful for the shade and the purple mists.