After a word or two of slight import she said, as they slowly walked,
"Godfrey."
"Yes," eagerly responded the lover.
"Down in the garden, awhile ago--did I--promise something?"
"You most certainly did!" She had promised that if he would let a
certain subject drop she would bring it up again, herself, before he
must take his leave.
"And must you go very soon, now?" she asked.
"I've only a few minutes left," said the lover, with a lover's license.
"Well, I'm ready to speak. Of course, Godfrey, I know my heart."
The young man smiled ruefully. "I've known mine till I'm dead tired of
the acquaintance."
Other words passed, her eyes on the ground as they loitered, and after a
pause she murmured:--"But I've known my heart as long as you've known
yours."
"You've known--What do you--Oh, Ruth, look at me!"
She looked, very tenderly, although she said, "You forget we are
observed."
"Oh, observed! Do you mean hope--for me--after all?"
"I mean that if you will only wait until we can get a clear light on
this matter of Isabel's--which will most likely be by the next time you
come"--
"Oh, Ruth, Ruth, my own Ruth at last!"
"Please don't speak so. I'm not engaging myself to you now."
"Oh yes, you are! Yes, you are! Yes--you--are!"
"No--no--no--listen! Listen to me, Godfrey. I think that now, among us
all, we shall manage Isabel's affair well enough, and that the very next
time--you--come"--She began absently to pick her steps.
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