He was misled by
the act into believing that she could not forgive him, and yet was
perplexed when she murmured with a return of her old piquant
humor:
"You are mistaken, Mr. Ackland; it shall never be known that I
refused you."
"How can you prevent it?"
"If your words are sincere, you will submit to such terms as I
choose to make."
"I am sincere, and my actions shall prove it; but I shall permit
no mistaken self-sacrifice on your part, nor any attempt to shield
me from the punishment I well deserve."
She suddenly turned upon him a radiant face in which he read his
happiness, and faltered:
"Jack, I do believe you, although the change seems wrought by some
heavenly magic. But it will take a long time to pay you up. I hope
to be your dear torment for a lifetime."
He caught her in such a strong, impetuous embrace that she gasped:
"I thought you were--cold to our sex."
"It's not your sex that I am clasping, but you--YOU, my Eve. Like
the first man, I have won my bride under the green trees and
beneath the open sky.
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