‘Ah, I am happy,’ she exclaimed at last.
‘And I have been afraid to tell you, torturing myself to think that you would repulse me. Cecilia, you understand what you are saying—you will never repent this?’
‘Never,’ she said. ‘I shall love you all my life.’
He touched the dark hair that rested against his shoulder.
‘I am not worthy of it,’ he said. ‘My only claim to you is that I adore you. I cannot think why the whole world is not in love with you.’
She laughed softly.
‘I have been half mad,’ he went on, ‘but I am cured now. I can do nothing by halves, Cecilia.’
‘I hope you may never love me by halves.’
‘Say Gilbert.’
‘Gilbert.’