Her pulses went rushing on tumultuously. As the words fell on her ear and heart, the truth was suddenly opened to her—she loved him still.
"I am no longer young, George," she whispered, the tears slowly coursing down her cheeks.
"Too young for me, Edina. The world may say so."
"And I—I don't know that others can spare me."
"Yes, they can. Had I been wise I should have secured you in the days so long gone by, Edina. I have never ceased to care for you. Oh, my best friend, my first and only love, say you will come and make the sunshine of my home! Say you will."
"I will," she whispered.
And Mr. George Atkinson drew her to him and sheltered her face on his breast. After all the sadness and vicissitudes of her life, what a haven of rest it felt to Edina!
"There shall be no delay; we cannot afford it. As soon as possible, Edina, I shall take you away. And that seven thousand pounds that you tried hard to fight me over—you can now transfer it to the others, if you like."
"As you will," she breathed. "All as you will from henceforth, George. I have found my home: and my master."
"God bless you, my dear one! May He be ever with us, as now, and keep us both to the end, in this world and in the next."