Surely she would hardly
have answered him after such a fashion had she suspected that he
intended to ask her to be his wife.
At a little before noon the next morning he knocked at her door, and
was told to enter. "I didn't go out after all," she said. "I hadn't
courage to face the sun."
"I saw that you were not in the garden."
"If I could have found you I would have told you that I should be
here all the morning. I might have sent you a message, only--only I
didn't."
"I have come--"
"I know why you have come."
"I doubt that. I have come to tell you that I love you."
"Oh Phineas;--at last, at last!" And in a moment she was in his arms.
It seemed to him that from that moment all the explanations, and all
the statements, and most of the assurances were made by her and not
by him. After this first embrace he found himself seated beside her,
holding her hand. "I do not know that I am right," said he.
"Why not right?"
"Because you are rich and I have nothing."
"If you ever remind me of that again I will strike you," she said,
raising up her little fist and bringing it down with gentle pressure
on his shoulder.
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