Did it--not ?" "No," faltered Claire, her eyes drooping like a flower under the sun's piercing rays.
"Then my lips shall tell you," he cried.

"It is this--I love you, little Claire--love you with all my heart, all my soul.

You are the light of my life, the sunshine of my existence, my lode-star, my hope--all that a young girl is to a man who idolizes her as the one supreme being on earth who can make him happy.

Oh, Claire, I worship you as man never worshiped woman before, and I want you for my wife." She opened her lips to speak, but he went on rapidly, hoarsely: "Do not refuse me, for it would be my death warrant if you did.

I tell you I cannot brook a refusal from those dear lips of yours.