"I'm your lover, sweetheart; your lover to-night and always," I said impetuously.
She opened her eyes wide and looked into mine with that calm, deep search which only a good woman has power to use. I knew, and trembling waited. What she saw in my eyes then she would see there always—in storm, in sunshine—in youth and in old age.
Then, suddenly, her glance dropped and a blush stole slowly across her cheek.
"To me, dearest," she said softly, "you have been a lover since that day in the forest when you were only Captain Smith."
I bowed my head. "You Princess of women," I said. "How near I was to losing you."
She turned and deliberately let her hair rest on my face a moment.
"There, dear," said she, "is my first kiss to you. I shall have to wait a bit for yours to me."
"And you really want my kiss, Dehra?" I asked doubtingly. Small wonder, indeed, I was slow to realize my fortune.
"You great stupid," she laughed. "Can't you understand I have wanted it for six long years?"
"I think," said I, "I'm dreaming."