I could not speak at once for the wave of emotion which choked me.

I dropped on my knees, and taking her in my arms, held her close to me.

She saw that I was moved, and tenderly stroked my hair, and with delicate touch pressed down my head on her bosom, as a mother might have done to comfort a frightened child.
Presently we got back to the realities of life again.

I murmured: "Your safety, your life, your happiness are all-in-all to me.

When will you let them be my care ?" She trembled in my arms, nestling even closer to me.