She was quite near before he advanced from his place among the trees. He
did not expect her to exhibit surprise or confusion and he was not
disappointed. She was as cool as a brisk spring morning. He did not
offer his hand, but, with a fine smile of contentment, bowed low and
with mock servility.
"I report for duty, your highness," he said. She caught the ring of
gladness in his voice.
"Then I command you to shake hands with me," she said brightly. "You
have been away, I believe?" with a delicious inflection.
"Yes, for a century or more, I'm sure." Constraint fell upon them
suddenly. The hour had come for a definite understanding and both were
conquered by its importance. For the first time in his life he knew the
meaning of diffidence. It came over him as he looked helplessly into the
clear, gray, earnest eyes. "I love you for wearing that red feather," he
said simply.
"And I loved you for wearing it," she answered, her voice soft and
thrilling. He caught his breath joyously.
"Beverly," as he bent over her, "you are my very life, my--"
"Don't, Paul!" she whispered, drawing away with an embarrassed glance
about the park. There were people to be seen on all sides. But he had
forgotten them. He thought only of the girl who ruled his heart. Seeing
the pain in his face, she hastily, even blushingly, said: "It is so
public, dear."
He straightened himself with soldierly precision, but his voice trembled
as he tried to speak calmly in defiance to his eyes. "There is the
grotto--see! It is seclusion itself. Will you come with me? I must tell
you all that is in my heart. It will burst if I do not."
Slowly they made their way to the fairy grotto deep in the thicket of
trees. It was Yetive's favorite dreaming place. Dark and cool and
musical with the rippling of waters, it was an ideal retreat. She
dropped upon the rustic bench that stood against the moss-covered wall
of boulders. With the gentle reserve of a man who reveres as well as
loves, Baldos stood above her. He waited and she understood. How unlike
most impatient lovers he was!
"You may sit beside me," she said with a wistful smile of
acknowledgment. As he flung himself into the seat, his hand eagerly
sought hers, his courtly reserve gone to the winds.
"Beverly, dearest one, you never can know how much I love you," he
whispered into her ear. "It is a deathless love, unconquerable,
unalterable. It is in my blood to love forever. Listen to me, dear one:
I come of a race whose love is hot and enduring. My people from time
immemorial have loved as no other people have loved. They have killed
and slaughtered for the sake of the glorious passion. Love is the
religion of my people. You must, you shall believe me when I say that I
will love you better than my soul so long as that soul exists. I loved
you the day I met you. It has been worship since that time."