hehadleft.Acuriousspasmpassedthroughher,andshepressedherselfclosertohimatthesametimehishandssankdown,droppingthecloak,andencircledherwaist.Thenshesurrenderedherselfentirelytohisembraceandliftedherfacetohis.Hebentdownandkissedher.Thekisswassuchuttermadnessthatshealmostgroaned.Shecouldnottellifitwaspainorpleasure.Sheflungherarmsroundhisneckanddrewhimtoher.
“WhatafoolIam,”shesaidatlast,withsomethingbetweenasobandalaugh.Shedrewherselfalittleaway,thoughnotsoviolentlyastomakehimwithdrawthearmwhichsocomfortablyencircledher.
Butwhydidhesaynothing?Whydidhenotswearhelovedher?Whydidhenotaskwhatshewassowillingtogrant?Sherestedherheadonhisshoulder.
“Doyoulikemeatall,Bertha?”heasked.“I’vebeenwantingtoaskyoualmosteversinceyoucamehome.”
“Can’tyousee?”Shewasreassuredsheunderstoodthatitwasonlytimiditythatcloggedhistongue.“You’resoabsurdlybashful.”
“YouknowwhoIam,Berthaand——“hehesitated.
“Andwhat,foolishboy?”shenestledstillmorecloselytohim.
“Andyou’reMissLeyofCourtLeys,whileI’mjustoneofyourtenants,withnothingwhatevertomyback.”
“I’vegotverylittle,”shesaid.“AndifIhadtenthousandayear,myonlywishwouldbetolayitatyourfeet.”
“Bertha,whatd’youmean?Don’tbecrueltome.YouknowwhatIwant,but——“
“AsfarasIcanmakeout,”shesaid,laughing,“youwantmetoproposetoyou.”
“Oh,Bertha,don’tlaughatme.IloveyouIwanttoaskyoutomarryme.ButIhaven’tgotanythingtoofferyou,andIknowIoughtn’t—don’tbeangrywithme,Bertha.”
“ButIloveyouwithallmyheart,”shecried.“Iwantnobetterhusbandyoucangivemehappiness,andIwantnothingelseintheworld.”
Thenhecaughtheragaininhisarms,quitepassionately,andkissedher.
“Didn’tyouseethatIlovedyou?”shewhispered.
“IthoughtperhapsyoudidbutIwasn’tsure,andIwasafraidthatyouwouldn’tthinkmegoodenoug