Very well, then, I'll say it." She was laughing when he caught her hands and looked at her, grave, unsmiling.

Suddenly her eyes filled with tears and her lip trembled.
"Forgive me, I meant no mockery," she whispered.

"I had already fixed the first day of June for--for the great change in our lives.

Are you content ?" "Yes." And before she knew what he was doing a brilliant flashed along her ring finger and clung sparkling to it; and she stared at the gold circlet and the gem flashing in the firelight.
There were tears in her eyes when she kissed it, looking at him while her soft lips rested on the jewel.
Neither spoke for a moment; then, still looking at him, she drew the ring from her finger, touched it again with her lips, and laid it gently in his hand.
"No, dear," she said.
He did not urge her; but she knew he still believed that she would come to think as he thought; and the knowledge edged her lips with tremulous humour.

But her eyes were very sweet and tender as she watched him lay away the ring as though it and he were serenely biding their time.
"Such a funny boy," she said, "and such a dear one.