She had allowed him to take her hand, and as he thus asked his question he was standing opposite to her, still holding it.
'You have thought about it, Marie, since I was here last ?' 'Yes; I have thought about it.' 'Well, dearest ?' 'I suppose it had better be so,' said she, standing up and withdrawing her hand.
She had accepted him; and now it was no longer possible for him to go back to Basle except as a betrothed man.

She had accepted him; but there came upon him a wretched feeling that none of the triumph of successful love had come to him.

He was almost disappointed,--or if not disappointed, was at any rate embarrassed.

But it was necessary that he should immediately conduct himself as an engaged man.

'And you will love me, Marie ?' he said, as he again took her by the hand.
'I will do my best,' she said.
Then he put his arm round her waist and kissed her, and she did not turn away her face from him.