"The ground's higher," he cried. "We've reached it—the mainland!"
She did not call back to him, but she placed her free hand over his that held hers, and he could feel the added pressure of thanksgiving.
Little by little they could feel the waters receding. Now they were down to his knees again; now they were at his feet—conquered.
He drew her into his arms and he called her by name. She did not answer.
"Aren't you going to speak to me?" he asked, bending over her.
She stroked the shoulder of his coat slowly with her cold, wet hand.
"I—I—what must I say?"
"What I have been waiting all these years to hear—what you said a little while ago—that you love me," he answered, looking into her face.
She bent her head and laid her cheek against her hand on his shoulder.
"I do," she said. "I love you—" her voice broke.