“Step with me into the hall,” says she. She turned to Anthony, and gave him the sweetest look. “We shall need but a few minutes, cousin,” she says.
I hobbled into the hall. She followed me close, and shut the door. I turned to her, and as our eyes met she threw her arms about my neck, and held me to her. “Oh, Dick!” she cries. “My dear, my dear, if you knew what I have gone through. But you are safe,” she says, starting away, “and there is so much to do. Come——”
“Alison,” I said, holding her hand. “What is all this—what does it mean?”
“Dick,” she says, looking me straight in the eyes, “do you love me?”
“As my life—and more!” says I.
“And will you marry me—now?” she says.
“Now?” I says. “But I will do aught that you wish,” I says, sore mystified.
“Come, come!” she says, and drags me to the door of the little parlour. “There are good friends here,” she says, and leads me within.
There was old Drumbleforth, the parson, there, with John and Humphrey Stirk. Alison led me up to the clergyman. “Stand by the door, John and Humphrey,” says she. “Now, Master Drumbleforth, will you wed me to my cousin?”