To say truth, I would have suffered a worse harm gladly, if only I could find her to tend it.

Indeed, her gentle care broke down the fence of my doubts and gave me a courage that otherwise might have failed me in her presence.
At first, indeed, I could find no words, but as she bound my wound, I bent down and kissed her ministering hand.

She flushed red as the evening sky, the flood of crimson losing itself at last beneath her auburn hair, but it burned deepest upon the white hand which I had kissed.
'Why did you do that, Thomas ?' she said, in a low voice.
Then I spoke.

'I did it because I love you, Lily, and do not know how to begin the telling of my love.

I love you, dear, and have always loved as I always shall love you.' 'Are you so sure of that, Thomas ?' she said, again.
'There is nothing else in the world of which I am so sure, Lily.