May I, may I, indeed, behold in the playmate of my infancy a friend in manhood, the partner of my life--my own Mary as my assistant in labours of love?
I am agitating you, dearest girl, forgive me; only give me some little hope.

Years must elapse ere that blessed moment can arrive, perhaps I have been wrong to urge it now, but I could not part from you without one word to explain my feelings, to implore your ever-granted sympathy." The hand of Mary trembled in his grasp.

She had turned from his pleading glance, but when he ceased, she raised her head and struggled to speak.
A smile, beautiful, holy in its beauty, appeared struggling with tears, and a faint flush had risen to her cheek, but voice she had none, and for one moment she concealed her face on his shoulder.

She withdrew not her hand from his, and Herbert felt--oh, how gratefully--that his love was returned; he had not hoped in vain.

For some minutes they could not speak, every feeling was in common; together they had grown, together loved, and now that the magic word had been spoken, what need was there for reserve?
none; and reserve was banished.