Dearest Kate, can you love me and be my wife ?" His left arm was bound up, and was in a sling, but he put out his right hand to take hers, if she would give it to him.

Kate Daly had never had a lover before, and felt the occasion to be trying.

She had no doubt about the matter.

If it were only proper for her to declare herself, she could swear with a safe conscience that she loved him better than all the world.
"Put your hand here, Kate," he said.
As the request was not exactly for the gift of her hand, she placed it in his.
"May I keep it now ?" She could only whisper something which was quite inaudible, even to him.
"I shall keep it, and think that you are all my own.

Stoop down, Kate, and kiss me, if you love me." She hesitated for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts.