He pressed her so hard against his heart that she felt its strong beating against her own.

His eyes gazed straight into hers, and in them she saw again that deep, deep blue as of flaming spirit.
"You mean it ?" he said.
Breathlessly she answered him.

"Yes, I mean it." "Then"-- he bent his great head to her, and for the fraction of a moment she saw the meteor-like flash of his smile--"yes, I'll teach you, Columbine," he said.
With the words he kissed her on the lips, kissed her closely, kissed her lingeringly, and in that kiss her torn heart found its first balm of healing.
* * * "Well, what did I say ?" crowed Adam a little later.

"Didn't I tell you if you left 'em alone he'd steer her safe into harbour?
Wasn't I right, missus?
Wasn't I right ?" "I'm not gainsaying it," said Mrs.Peck, with a touch of severity.

"And I'm sure I hope as all will turn out for the best." "Turn out for the best?
Why, o' course it will!" said Adam, with cheery confidence.