| “‘Made up the promise true, And ne’er forget will I; And for bonnie Annie Laurie I’d lay me doun and dee.’” |
At my first words she gave a little start, her lips parted, her head came up prettily to attention, and though I could not see them I was ready to vow that she listened with shining eyes. Softly her breath came and went. I trod nearer as I sang.
| “‘Her brow is like the snaw-drift, Her throat is like the swan, She’s jimp about the middle, Her waist ye weel micht span.’ |
“Oh, Aileen, if I might—if I only had the right! Won’t you give it me, dear heart?”
In the long silence my pulse stopped, then throbbed like an aching tooth.
“I’m waiting, Aileen. It is to be yes or no?”
The shy blue eyes met mine for an instant before they fluttered groundward. I could scarce make out the low sweet music of her voice.
“Oh, Kenneth, not now! You forget—my brother Malcolm——”
“I forget everything but this, that I love you.”
In her cheeks was being fought the war of the roses, with Lancaster victorious. The long-lashed eyes came up to meet mine bravely, love lucent in them. Our glances married; in those clear Highland lochs of hers I was sunk fathoms deep.