"And that we love—them."
I wrote it slowly, half-minded to write "one another" instead of "them." Never had I been so near to love.
"And—and—let me see," she mused, finger on lip—"I think it not too impudent to ask their blessing. It may happen, you know, though Destiny fight against it; and if it does, why there we have their blessing all ready!"
I thought for a long while, then wrote, asking their blessing upon our wedded union.
"That word 'wedded,'" observed Elsin, "commits us. Scratch it out. I have changed my mind. Destiny may accept the challenge, and smite me where I sit."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I mean—nothing. Yet that word 'wedded' must not stand. It is an affront to—to Destiny!"
"I fear nothing from Destiny—with you, Elsin."
"If you write that word, then, I tell you we must betroth ourselves this instant!—and fight Fate to its knees. Dare you?"
"I am ready," said I coolly.