It was still only a confused, heavenly surprise, unvexed, and, alas! unterrified.

The involuntary glimpse of any future for it or for her left her gaze dreamy, curious, but unalarmed.

The future he had offered her she would never accept; no other future frightened her.
"Louis ?" "Dearest," he whispered, his lips to hers.
"It is sweet of you, it is perfectly dear of you to wish me to be your--wife.

But--let us decide such questions later--" "Valerie! What do you mean ?" "I didn't mean that I don't love you," she said, tremulously.

"I believe you scarcely understand how truly I do love you....