I think I must always love you--there as well as here." Then she smiled at him through her tears.
"Dear love," he went on a moment later, "there is something I have often wanted to say, and yet the words were difficult to utter.
Elizabeth, life is long as you say, and your great loving heart must not remain unsatisfied.

Do not mourn for me too long--do not refuse comfort that may be offered to you, if you can be happy, dear." But here Elizabeth's hand was laid over his lips.
"No--no, you shall not say it--I will not hear it;" and Elizabeth's eyes were wide with trouble.

"David--David--" and then she could say no more for her wild weeping.
"Hush--hush, my darling--I cannot bear this," and David's lips grew so white that Elizabeth in alarm controlled herself.

But as she gave him a restorative, he held out his feeble hand to her.

"Forgive me if I said too much," he pleaded; "I thought perhaps it might be a comfort afterwards.