If they met, what was there to keep him from bringing her here?
Nothing! He knew he would do it.

He hoped then that she would take no notice of his remark; but he hoped in vain.

She leapt to it, eyes glinting with delight.
To her that offer conveyed everything.

She saw herself down there in the country with him, the spring just lifting its promise of life, like a child, out of the cradle of the earth.

She heard him telling her that he loved her.