"I have aye loved you, sir. I dreamed about you when I was a lassie. I
keep it the thocht o' you close in my heart. When you lookit at me the
night you cam' here first, I kent you, and I loved you that vera moment.
Whate'er the love I give to you, it is your ain, my soul brought it into
the warld for you, and for nae other man."
"In two years, Maggie, I will come for you. My wife! My wife!"
"I'll no say that, sir; not just yet. Marrying is o' this warld. Loving is
from somewhere beyond it. You told me about another leddy; and beside
that, I wouldna come atween you and your fayther.
"I have spoken to the other lady, and she has refused me."
"Puir thing! I'm dooting you asked her for the refusal. I hae had many a
sair heart anent her since you went awa'; and when I think o' her, I dinna
feel as if I deserved my ain joy."
"I could love none but you, Maggie. And I have told my father that I love
you. I have told him every thing."
"Weel, sir? What said he?"
"He only asked me to wait for two years, and during that time to stay away
from you."
"He asked jist what I wad hae asked, even for mysel'. I'm a poor ignorant
fisher-lass, I wouldna daur to marry you, unless you had tried your love
for me in some mair than ordinar' way."
"Maggie, you are a part of my own soul. I can have no real wife but you."
"I hope sae, sir. I love you weel."
"Call me, Allan."
She looked up, blushing like a flame. Some instinct beyond her control
moved her. She put her hands upon his shoulders and kissed him, and as she
did so, she said thrice over, "Allan! Allan! Allan!"
"Maggie! Sweetheart! Life can give me no happier moment than this." And
so, forgetting every thing but their love, and their great joy in each
other, they sat hand in hand and talked the hours away. Allan had so much
to make her understand, and she was anxious in all things to do as he
desired. "If you possibly can, my love," he said, "remain here. Do not
work hard. Read all the books I have left in my room. Wait patiently for
me. Trust in me with all your soul. If I live, I will surely come for you
in two years."