“Could I think as I am thinking now, if I were not sure of it?”
“Are you thinking of me?”
“Of you—and of all that you will be to me in the future. Oh, my angel, if God grants us many years to come, what a perfect life I see!”
“Tell me—what do you see?”
“I see a husband and wife who are all in all to each other. If friends come to us, we are glad to bid them welcome; but we are always happiest by ourselves.”
“Do we live in retirement?”
“We live where you like best to live. Shall it be in the country?”
“Yes! yes! You have spoken of the sea as you might have spoken of your best friend—we will be near the sea. But I must not keep you selfishly all to myself. I must remember how good you have been to poor creatures who don’t feel our happiness, and who need your kindness. Perhaps I might help you? Do you doubt it?”
“I only doubt whether I ought to let you see what I have seen; I am only afraid of the risk of making you unhappy. You tempt me to run the risk. The help of a woman—and of such a woman as you are—is the one thing I have wanted. Your influence would succeed where my influence has often failed. How good, how thoughtful you would be!”
“I only want to be worthy of you,” she said, humbly. “When may I see your Home?”