Big fires had been lit everywhere about the house in accordance with old Mr. Wallace's orders, so that Laline might be favourably impressed with the place, and by her own request she was presently shown over the identical rooms prepared for her reception when she had been expected as a bride four years before. These rooms wore by this time a more or less faded and neglected air; but the affectionate forethought with which the whole suite had at first been planned touched Laline deeply as she wandered through the pretty sitting-room, furnished with books and piano, the daintily-appointed dressing-room and bath-room, and the cosy little study fitted with every trifle necessary to the mistress of a household.
After the inspection was over, Laline found Wallace waiting for her in the drawing-room at the back of the house, which led into the grounds through a spacious conservatory. A large fire was burning in the fireplace, and, as the door closed on Mrs. Sylvester, Wallace drew his betrothed towards the friendly blaze.
"You must get your hands warm before you go out again," he said. "You must have got cold sitting still in the cart."
Standing with her in front of the fire, he drew up her hands against his neck, and looked down into her eyes, his own alight with love.
"At last we are alone," he whispered. "Lina, do you love me?"
"I'm afraid I do."
"Then put your arms round my neck of your own accord and kiss me. See—I let them go. It must be of your own accord."
Her hands crept gently up until they were clasped behind his neck, and her soft lips fluttered lightly upon his for a second, until, with a sigh of content, he folded his arms about her, and kissed her again and again with all his soul in his lips.
"My darling—my Lina—my wife!"