"I have not lost you, after all," he said.
She rose also, and gave him both her hands. "No. You have gained me—for good. I—care now ever so much more than I did when I came out to you this morning."
"You do?"
"Yes—I do."
He drew her towards him. "Promise me this much," he said, "that if you should ever find it possible to—marry me on any conditions—even the hardest—you will tell me so at once, because after this morning I shall never open my lips on the subject again."
"I promise. Only—you must not let yourself hope."
He sighed. "Very well, I will shut out hope, since you command it. But I shall still have love and faith to live upon. You cannot deprive me of those—Honor. Now shall we go for our ride? Or would you rather go in and rest after all this?"
"No. We will have our ride. I can rest later if I need it."
"Let me put you up then. Come."