“I do not doubt you, dear Clara,” he said laughing and lifting her hand to his lips. “God knows,” he earnestly added, “I should be miserable to doubt where all my hopes of happiness are centered.”
“Indeed, you should not—you ought not! What should I gain, Leslie, by transferring my love to another? Certainly not a nobler person, a finer face, a better fortune (if I may name this), a kindlier heart, or better temper. Believe me, dear Leslie, when I say you are the handsomest man I ever beheld, so that no higher degree of personal beauty could lead me from you!”
“You are a silly flatterer, child, and I half believe, fell in love with me because you thought me the ‘handsomest man you ever beheld!’ ”
“Now you are mocking me, Leslie. But I will confess that the first time I saw you promenading the ball rooms at the —— Assemblies with Miss P—— on your arm, I was struck with your stately and elegant walk. I had not seen your face, but followed you with my eye till you turned and, and—”
“Met your gaze full fixed upon mine! That was not the first time you had attracted my attention that evening, Clara. I had observed you on my first entrance, and my heart from that instant became yours.”
Leslie Pierpoint pressed her to his heart as he spoke.
“It shall ever be yours, dearest Leslie,” was the softly whispered response of the blushing girl; “nothing would turn my love from you.”
“Thank you for the pledge, dearest—I believe you. Come let us return into the rooms—our absence will be remarked.”
After Leslie had plucked a “Forget me not” and placed it in her hair, the lovers slowly returned from the verandah.