“Yes, Adrian, wholly.”
“And you will trust me fully, from this time forth?”
“I trust you fully,” and the little hands fluttered confidingly in his.
“Then, little one—my Brownie, will you come to me now, and let me make you my own wife to-day—or at least as soon as that is possible? I feel that I cannot allow you to be exposed to such suffering and insult for another hour.”
He felt her heart leap against his own at his words, but she did not reply.
“Darling,” he questioned, “am I putting your love and faith in me to too severe a test?”
“To-day! so soon—oh, Adrian!” she whispered, and he could see wave on wave of rich color surging up over her lovely face.
“Will you love me better by waiting a week—a month—or a year?” he asked, gravely.
“No, oh, no!” she said, quickly.
“Can you bear for a moment to think of going back to the old life?”