"We will live there always," she exclaimed earnestly. "But come into the garden. You can tell how much I care for the world by living here," she continued, as we left the house; "indeed I never wish to see the world again. I will make you promise always to live at Elmore Court, for there we shall be alone. I shall want you all to myself, Arthur. Indeed you will find me jealous, dear—would you like me to be jealous?"
"It is the most genuine test of love. You will find me jealous too."
"Shall I?" she cried, clapping her hands. "And it will be very proper that you should. But I doubt if you'll have occasion."
We passed through the gate and entered the grounds of Elmore Court.
"How could you think I should be dull here?" she asked, prettily folding her hands, whilst she paused to look at the building and the brilliant coup d'œil of the garden. "All day long I should be busy with my flowers, and in the evening you should read to me, and teach me all you know, that I may become as wise as you."
"I will show you over the house presently, Geraldine. Meanwhile let us seat ourselves under those trees. Dearest," I said, taking her hand, "I have been so long looking forward to this time, when I may call you and think of you as my own, that now it is come I cannot believe it here."
"You have not had to wait very long. Did you expect to win me so easily?"
"I don't know; but I felt you would become my wife."
"But I was not destined for you, or I should have married you first. Is it here we are to sit?"