ecstacy of joy. She acknowledged to herself that he was giving proof
of his devotion as strong as any which a girl could receive from her
lover. And yet she could hardly bring herself to say the word he
longed to hear. That word once said, and then she knew that she must
succumb to her love for ever! That word once said, and there would be
nothing for her but to spoil him with her idolatry! That word once
said, and she must continue to repeat it into his ears, till perhaps he
might be tired of hearing it! And now he had threatened her, and how
could she speak after that? She certainly would not speak it unless he
asked her again without such threat. And so they walked on in silence.

"Patty," he said at last. "By the heavens above us you shall answer
me. Do you love me?"

She now stood still, and almost trembled as she looked up into his
face. She stood opposite to him for a moment, and then placing her two
hands on his shoulders, she answered him. "I do, I do, I do," she
said, "with all my heart; with all my heart--with all my heart and
strength." And then her head fell upon his breast.

* * *

Captain Broughton was almost as much surprised as delighted by the
warmth of the acknowledgment made by the eager-hearted passionate girl
whom he now held within his arms. She had said it now; the words had
been spoken; and there was nothing for her but to swear to him over and
over again with her sweetest oaths, that those words were true--true as
her soul. And very sweet was the walk down from thence to the
parsonage gate. He spoke no more of the distance of the ground, or the
length of his day's journey. But he stopped her at every turn that he