“N—o; still I was taken by surprise. I had never thought of loving you in that way, or of your regarding me other than as a sister,” Gladys replied, gravely.
“Then it set you thinking and you have been learning to love me since that time?” Geoffrey asked, fondly.
“Not exactly ‘learning to love,’ Geoff, but I began then to realize the fact that I did love you,” the young girl confessed, with brilliant cheeks.
Geoffrey bent and kissed her red lips.
“Darling, I am glad I did not dare tell you then—I should have been very premature,” he said, tenderly.
“How does it happen that you have ‘dared’ even now?” she asked, roguishly.
“Because I confessed everything to Uncle August this morning, and he bade me come and win my bride if I could,” was the smiling retort.
“Geoff! did papa say that,” cried the young girl, growing crimson again.
“Yes, those very words. Uncle August is a kingly man, and his permission to let me speak to you has raised me from the depths of despair to the very heights of joy.”
“Oh, Geoffrey, what an ardent figure of speech!” laughed the happy girl.