But this he did
not endure. Seizing her quickly in his arms he drew her up, till
her not unwilling face was close to his, and there he kept her till
she was almost frightened by his violence. "And now, Mary, what do
you say to my question? It has to be answered."
"You know."
"But that will not do, I will have it in words. I will not be shorn
of my delight"
That it should be a delight to him, was the very essence of her
heaven. "Tell me what to say," she answered. "How may I say it
best?"
"Reginald Morton," he began.
"Reginald," she repeated it after him, but went no farther in
naming him.
"Because I love you better than in the world--"
"I do."
"Ah, but say it"
"Because I love you, oh, so much better than all the world
besides."
"Therefore, my own, own husband--"
"Therefore, my own, own--," Then she paused.
"Say the word"
"My own, own husband."
"I will be your true wife"
"I will be your own true loving wife." Then he kissed her again.
"That," he said, "is our little marriage ceremony under God's sky,
and no other can be more binding. As soon as you, in the plentitude
of your maiden power, will fix a day for the other one, and when we
can get that over, then we will begin our little journey together."
"But Reginald!"
"Well, dear!"
"You haven't said anything.
Pages:
698
699
700
701
702
703
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714
715
716
717
718
719
720
721
722