“At least let me get you some water,” he said, and going to a table where there were an ice pitcher and goblets, he filled a glass, and brought it to her.
She drank thirstily and passed the goblet back to him, looking up with a grateful little smile for the service.
He bent impulsively and touched his lips to her forehead.
“My darling!” he breathed.
Again the quick color flooded her face and tears sprang into her eyes; how she had longed for years to hear those tender tones!
The sight of her tears moved him deeply.
He put down the glass, and kneeling beside her drew her again into his arms.
“Oh, my love!” he whispered, a great sob heaving his broad chest, “you have been cruelly deceived, but set me at rest upon one point—tell me that you love me yet. I have never been untrue to you in thought or deed. I have lived a lonely, solitary life. I have been heart-broken without you. Virgie, you were the one love of my whole life; now tell me if your heart is still mine.”
She bowed her head upon his breast, melted by his fond words, and sobbed in an agony of grief for her lost happiness; she twined her arms about his neck and drew his face down to her tear-wet cheek.
“Oh, Will,” she murmured, brokenly, “I have ruined all your life and mine! I should have come to you, in spite of all, and to learn my fate from your own lips. We have lost all these years when we might have been so happy. You know that I love you; every day, every hour of my life my heart has cried out for you. I have literally been starving for your love.”