With an intense passionate gesture the girl held her head well back, her burning dark eyes staring hard into his flashing blue ones. Yes, there was a strength and fervor of devotion there that she could not doubt. She dropped the arms that she had outstretched to keep him from her with an unutterably satisfied “Oh!” of surprise.
“A curious exclamation that,” he said teasingly; “have you nothing more to say to me?”
She would not speak for a long time, but remained with her face hidden in his shoulder. Finally she said: “When did you find this out?”
“It has been true all along,” he said; “only you would not believe me.”
“Who is deceitful now?” she cried.
“I am not; I really have loved you for weeks, only I have been a stupid, blundering fool about expressing myself. When will you marry me?”
“I do not know. You will not send Mrs. Colonibel away, Stanton?”
“Yes I will; do not speak of her,” and his face darkened.
“Let her remain for a time.”
“Not a day.”