"Yes, I know," she murmured, "but I did not think of it when I chose them."
"I know you did not, love," Clifford returned as he bent forward and gathered both her hands into his, "and it was an unfair question, I am afraid. But I love you, dear--I love you. You must have seen it, you must have read it for weeks, for my every thought has been of and for you, and sometimes I have even dared to think that your thought has been responsive to mine, assuring me that I had won your heart, and that my future is to be crowned with the supreme blessing of your love. You do not turn from me--you do not take your hands from mine--may I hope, Mollie? Tell me that you love me--that you will be my wife when I shall have won a position worthy to offer you. May I wear the buds as the token of your assent? Oh, my darling, where can I find language to tell you all that is in my heart? Tell me--tell me!"
His passionate emotion moved her deeply, although his voice had been raised scarcely above a whisper. His fond words, his rich, thrilling tones were like the solemn notes of an organ. She never had been so supremely happy in her life as at that moment, and yet she wanted to weep.
But her whole heart went out to him. She lifted her eyes to his and they were brimming with tears.
"Yes, you know--you must have long known that I love you, Clifford," she whispered.
He could not speak for the moment. He was white, even to his lips, with joy that was beyond words. He lifted her hands and laid them about his neck; then his arms slid around her graceful form and drew her to his breast, where he held her close--so close that she could both feel and hear the throbbing of his heart.
They stood thus for a few moments, speechless from the consciousness of the sacred union. At length Clifford gently released her and, fondly placing one hand beneath her chin, lifted her face and scanned it earnestly.
"Yes," said Mollie, with a shy, sweet laugh, "my cup is so full it cannot hold all my joy, and some had to brim over."
"Sweetheart!" he murmured, but he still continued to study her face with a look that seemed to have something of wonderment in it.
"Why do you look at me like that? Of what are you thinking?" Mollie inquired.