"I do not doubt. I love you!"
"Stephania—my darling,—my all!"
And he kissed her eyes, her lips, her hair, and she suffered his caresses as one wrapt in a blissful dream.
"I learned you were stricken with the fever,—the last defence left to us by nature against our foes. I have come, to watch over you, to care for you,—to nurse you back to health,—to life—"
"And you braved the dangers that beset your path on every turn?"
"How should I fear,—with such love in my heart for you!"
"Then you—will remain?" he whispered, his very life in his eyes.
"For a time," she answered, in a halting tone, which passed not unremarked.
"And then?" he queried.
Her head sank.