Then they were all gone, and she was left alone with Ellen and Rudolf. And then Ellen left the room too, while he still sat beside her holding her hand, till at last a little pressure from her fingers caused him to turn and look at her.
She saw that his eyes were moist, and she paused as she beheld the expression upon his face–the love that transfigured it. At last she asked:
‘Are we married now?’
‘Yes, we are married.’
‘I am afraid I have done you a great wrong in consenting.’
‘Are you? It is rather early to begin with such forebodings. What makes you think so?’
‘I feel as if I should never be worth anything again, and that if I were I should not make you happy.’
‘My child, it was not happiness I wanted, but you, glad or sorry, “loving or loth.” Rest content. I shall never repent.’
‘Promise me that.’
‘I promise it fully and freely.’