The Grey Cloak - Page 247/256

"I saw only you in the doorway, defending my honor with your life. I

tried to tell you then that I loved you, but I could not."

"I am not worthy," he said, rising from his knees.

"I love you!"

"I have been a gamester."

"I love you!" The music in her voice deepened and vibrated. The

strings of the harp of life gave forth their fullest sound.

"I have been a roisterer by night. I have looked into the bottom of

many an unwise cup."

"Do you not hear me say that I love you? There is no past now, Paul;

there is nothing but the future. Once, I promised in a letter that if

you found me you might take what I had always denied you, my lips."

He put his arms around her and took from her glowing lips that fairest

and most perfect flower which grows in the garden of love: the first

kiss.

And there was no shadow between.