You see, mother, I was not mistaken in deeming him my friend." Then she turned suddenly to me, and taking my rough old hand in hers, lifted it to her lips.

That simple act of childish gratitude threw me into a fever of ecstasy so great that death itself could have had no terrors for me.

He might have come when he chose.

I had lived through that one moment, and even God could not rob me of it.
Yolanda moved away from me and took up the parchment.
"Don't touch it till the ink dries," I cried sharply.
She dropped it as if it were hot, and the duchess came to me, and graciously offered her hand:-- "I thank you with my whole heart, not only for what you have done, but for the love you bear the princess.

She is the one I love above all others, and I know she loves me.