"
He stared long at the river, and the sadness of his homeless and lonely
state in the world began to come upon him, as it came often. Then a
soft voice broke the spell, and the words answered his thoughts.
"We are not alone, you and I," it said, and the two small hands crept
up shyly and clasped his neck, and the loving, pathetic face looked up
to his. "Do not let him take me away!" she begged.
His hand pressed her head to his breast, and once more he kissed her
hair.
"He shall not take you," he said. "No one shall take you from me; no
one shall come between you and me."
Beatrix's eyes seemed to drink out of his the meaning of the words he
spoke.
"Promise me that," she said, knowing that he would promise her the
world.
"I promise it with all my heart."
"On your knightly faith?" She smiled as she insisted.
"On my honour and faith."
"And on the faith of love, too?" She almost laughed, out of sheer
happiness.
"On the very truth of true love," he answered.
"Then I am quite safe," she said, and she hid her face against his
surcoat. "I am glad I came to you, I am glad that I was so bold as to
send for you this day, for it is the best day of my whole life. And,
Gilbert, you will not wait till I send for you another time? You will
try and see me--of your own accord?"
She was altogether in anxiety again, and there was a look of fear and
sadness in her eyes.
"I will try--indeed I will," he said earnestly.
"Whenever you do, you shall succeed," she answered, nestling to him.
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