He came over to where she stood, one slim hand resting against the wall; and she looked back bravely into his keen eyes – the clear, direct, questioning eyes of a boy.
"I – I will – marry you," she said.
A swift flush touched his face to the temples.
"Don't you – want me?" she said, tremulously.
"If you love me, Strelsa."
"Isn't it enough – that you – love – "
"No, dear."
She lost her colour.
"Rix! Don't you want me?" she faltered.
"Not unless you want me, Strelsa."
She drew a long unsteady breath. Suddenly the tears sprang to her eyes, and she held out both hands to him, blindly.
"I – do love you," she whispered… "I'll give what you give… Only you must teach me – not to be – afraid."
Her cheek lay close to his shoulder; his arms drew her nearer. And, after he had waited a long while, her gray eyes, which had been watching his face, slowly closed, and she lifted her lips toward his.
THE END