lse was real in the misty, golden-tinted
gloom; that they were alone together there in a formless, soundless
chaos peopled by shapes impalpable as dreams.

"_Now_ tell me," she said, her lips scarcely moving as the soft voice
stirred them like carmine petals stirring in a scented breeze.

"Tell you that it is--love?"

"Yes, tell me."

"That I love you, Lissa?"

"Yes; that!"

He stooped nearer; his voice was steady and very low, and she leaned
with bent head to listen, clear-eyed, intelligent, absorbed.

"So _that_ is love--what you tell me?"

"Yes--partly."

"And the other part?"

"The other part is when you find you love me."

"I--do. I think it must be love, because I can't bear to have you go
away. Besides, I wish you to tell me--things."

"Ask me."

"Well--when two--like you and me, begin to love--what happens?"

"We confess it----"

"I do; I'm not ashamed.... Should I be? And then?"

"Then?" he faltered.

"Yes; do we kiss?... For I am curious to have you do it--I am so certain
I shall adore you when you do.... I wish we could go away somewhere
together.... But we can't do that until I am a bride, can we? Oh--do you
really want me?"

"Can you ask?" he breathed.

"Ask? Yes--yes.... I love to ask! Your hand thrills me. We can't go away
now, can we? It took Iole so long to be permitted to go away with Mr.
Wayne--all that time lost in so many foolish ways--when a girl is so
impatient.... Is it not strange how my heart beats when I look into your
eyes? Oh, there can be no doubt about it, I am dreadfully in love....
And so quickly, too. I suppose it's because I am in such splendid
health; don't you?"

"I--I--well----"

"Oh, I _do_ want to get up at once and go away with you! _Can't_ we?
I could explain to father."

"Wait!" he gasped, "he--he's asleep. Don't speak--don't touch him."

"How unselfish you are," she breathed. "No, you are not hurting my
fingers. Tell me more--about love and the blessed years awaiting us, and
about our children--oh, is it not wonderful!"

"Ex--extremely," he managed to mutter, touching his suddenly dampened
forehead with his handkerchief, and attempting to set his thoughts in
some sort of order. He could not; the incoherence held him speechless,
dazed, under the magic of this superb young being instinct with the soft
fire of life.

Her loveliness, her innocence, the beautiful, direct gaze, the childlike
fulness of mouth and contour of cheek and throat, left hi