“With me?”
But the dogs barked joyfully and licked the young man’s hands.
“Why, they know you!” she said.
“I have been here sometimes,” he answered.
They went up the steps of rose-coloured marble.
“We may go in,” he said. “Visitors are allowed.”
They went in, and he showed her all the glories of the palace. While he was pointing out the beauty of the pictures and furniture, the convenience and luxury of the rooms, she was all the time thinking of the little white cottage among the trees. They would be going there soon. He had showed it to her the evening before, saying: “Here is the fireside where we shall warm ourselves when winter comes. It is small and mean, but love is enough for us, is it not?” Yes, love was enough. She would love him so tenderly that he would never think again of this fine castle, to which he had no right to bring her.
He saw that she was not noticing what he showed her.
“What are you thinking of?” he asked.
“Of you,” she said, simply.