"But how could you? How did you dare without permission?" Nell faltered.
"My heart gave permission; you must blame it. And, oh, Nell, tell me that you love me," he pleaded. "If you do, then you will forgive everything. Surely your love must respond to mine."
To these passionate words Nell made no reply. She was too greatly overcome to utter a word so sudden and overwhelming had been the change during the last few minutes. Her form trembled from the vehemence of her emotion, and then the tears, which for so long had been restrained, came to her relief, and, sinking upon the ground, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed like a child.
"Nell! Nell!" Douglas cried, dropping by her side, and placing his
arms tenderly around her. "What have I done? Have I offended you?
Oh, tell me; tell me quick. I didn't mean to make you feel badly.
Forgive me; please forgive me!"
"I am only foolish, that is all," was the sobbing reply, as Nell lifted her head and endeavoured to brush away the tears. "I didn't mean to give way like this. But I am weak, and all this is so unexpected."
"And you forgive me? You are not offended?"
In reply, Nell threw her arms impetuously about his neck, and laid her face close to his.
"There is my answer," she whispered. "Are you satisfied now?"
Never had the old pine witnessed such a scene of perfect bliss as that which then took place at its foot. It gave no sign, however, that it saw anything, but kept its secret well. It was in league with the happy lovers, and never babbled its knowledge.
"It was here where I first saw you, Nell," Douglas told her, as they nestled close to each other upon the sand. "How well I remember that night, and how entranced I was with your playing."