Her consent, at length, went to him in her own volume of Browning, a pink rose shut in upon "A Woman's Last Word"-- its petals bruised against the verses: "What so false as truth is, False to thee?
Where the serpent's tooth is, Shun the tree.
"Where the apple reddens, Never pry-- Lest we lose our Edens, Eve and I.
"Be a god and hold me With a charm! Be a man and fold me With thine arm!" That was a moment of sweetness, of utter rest, of joyous peace--fighting no longer.
A little while and he was before her, proud as a conquerer may be--glad as a lover should.
"I always knew it, Nance--you _had_ to give in." Then as she drooped in his arms, a mere fragrant, pulsing, glad submission-- "You have _always_ pleased me, Nancy.

I know I shall never regret my choice." And Nancy, scarce hearing, wondered happily on his breast..