Then she said gently: "Horace, dear, have you told her that you love her?"
"Yes; but I am going to tell her again this morning."
"Ask her now," suggested Ann eagerly, and she rose.
Horace found Fledra with Floyd, and she lifted her eyes confidingly to his with a smile. For a long time he had been so tender, so loving, that the specter bred and fostered by Everett Brimbecomb's kisses had nearly vanished.
"Floyd is so much better this morning!" she said. Her words were well chosen, and she pronounced her brother's new name carefully.
Floyd held out his hand and raised himself slowly up.
"Look, Brother Horace!" he cried eagerly. "Look--just this morning I've been able to stand up! Sister Ann says in a few days I can walk."
Horace held the thin, white fingers in his for an instant.
"So you will, boy. It won't be long before you can get out."
The words startled Fledra. Not until the trouble of Lon's coming had she wished that Floyd might linger in the sickroom. The man outside, watching every movement in the house, frightened her. She knew that when her brother was well enough he and she would be called away for the court's decision as to their future.
"Floyd, will you spare your sister just a few moments? I want to talk with her."
"Course I will, Brother Horace. Scoot along, Fledra!"
"This way, child," whispered Horace. "I've something--oh, such a dear something!--to say to you."
They quietly passed the deputy, who only raised his eyes, smiled at Fledra, and dropped his gaze again to his paper. When Horace's door was closed, Horace took Fledra into his embrace and kissed her again and again. She loved the warmth of his arms, and the delight of his kisses caused her to rest unresisting until he chose to speak.
"Fledra, dear, will you marry me--immediately?"
His question brought her to rigidity.
"You mean--"
"I mean that all our troubles are going away."
Fledra drew slowly from him.
"How can our troubles go away?" she asked.
"By your consenting."
"I told you once, and more than once, that I couldn't tell you. Won't you ever understand?"
But Horace did not loosen his hold upon her. He drew the dark head against him tenderly.
"You misunderstood, Fledra. I am going to trust you in everything. I am going to put all my faith in you, and to save you and your brother from a fearful life. I must make you my wife!"