Diana!--come to me, darling!--be my wife!" He kissed the hand he held.

His eyes beseeched; and into hers, widely fixed upon him, had sprung tears--the tears of life's supremest joy.

Her lip trembled.
"I'm not worthy!" she said, in a whisper--"I'm not worthy!" "Foolish Diana!--Darling, foolish Diana!--Give me my answer!" And now he held both hands, and his confident smile dazzled her.
"I--" Her voice broke.

She tried again, still in a whisper.

"I will be everything to you--that a woman can." At that he put his arm round her, and she let him take that first kiss, in which she gave him her youth, her life--all that she had and was.
Then she withdrew herself, and he saw her brow contract, and her mouth.
"I know!"-- he said, tenderly--"I know! Dear, I think he would have been glad.