“Glad? Oh, thank you for that sweet word! If you had been sorry, darling, it must have broken my heart. Now you will be truly mine! I have been making such plans, dear, for our future. As soon as you are well enough to travel, I want to take you abroad on our real bridal tour. Will you come with me?”
“Yes, I will come.”
Her cheeks were ashen, and the light of her eyes grew dim, but the promise was made, and he thanked her so eloquently, adding proudly:
“Before long I shall make you love me as fondly as I love you. Will you try, Daisie?”
“Yes, I will try, Royall.”
But it startled her to find that she did not feel as tender over him as she used to do. It was only pity then, and now he was well and strong, he did not need it, and there was nothing to take its place.
He continued anxiously:
“When you get really fond of me, dear Daisie, perhaps you will forgive poor Lutie’s sins—will you?”
She made no answer save a flash of her eyes, and he added:
“Poor Lutie, I feel sorry for her, because she was so madly in love with Dallas Bain, and could stop at nothing to win his heart in return. Why, she has even followed him to California, still hoping to catch his heart in the rebound.”