It stood on his mantel, in a handsome double-swept frame, with plate-glass before it, and looked as if the greatest care had been expended on it, which it had.
She was surprised at the beauty of the work, now she came upon it suddenly. The enchanted garden, in all its beauty, bloomed before her, beneath its soft, crimson sky.
"How well it looks in its frame!" she said; "how perfectly you have had it done!"
"It is a dear picture," he answered her. "It is my guardian angel. It kept me here to-night, for you."
Then he took off her hat, and put it on his table, and her cloak, and drew her into his arms, and kissed her, but very softly and tenderly, for, while she felt an absolute adoration for him, he had also for her an overwhelming reverence, and these feelings, animating them both, carried their love far above the range of common, earthly things.
* * * * * * *
The next morning Everest wrote to the Rector:
"My Dear John,—Last night Regina came here in a very excited state. She was very much upset about her pictures. She is now staying with me, and if you can feel enough confidence in me to let things stand just as they are for the present, I think they will work out all right. I offered to marry her, while I was still at Stossop, but, acting on some quixotic idea that our positions were too unequal, she refused me, and continues to do so. I have no doubt, however, I shall be able in time to persuade her into granting me what is my dearest wish.
"Best say as little as possible at present of the matter; but where necessary you can, if you wish, give out we are already married. Yours always,
"Everest."
He sent this letter when they had had their morning coffee, which he made himself, and after Regina had gone into the studio and settled down to her work.