"Child," said I, "don't tremble so--the beasts are gone!"
"Yes, I know--I heard everything, Peregrine. And you down there--all
alone--to fight them in the dreadful dark! And I once dared to call
you coward!"
"So I was, Diana. So I am. It was you gave me courage, then and
now--you and--my love for you."
"Your love?" she whispered, and now the tremor was in her voice also.
"It was Love guided me here to-night, Diana--brought me back to
you--for ever and always if--if you will have it so."
"O Peregrine," she sighed, leaning towards me, "my Peregrine, then
your love for me is not dead as I feared?"
"Nor ever can be," I answered, very conscious of her nearness, "surely
true love is immortal, Diana."
"You speak rather like a book, Peregrine."
"I quote from your own letter, Diana."
"And this--strange love of yours, Peregrine, that I feared dead, has
come to life again because you know at last how cruelly you misjudged
me--you are here because you have found out?"
"I have found out nothing."
"Then--oh--why, then, you still think evil of me?"
"I love you!" said I, leaning towards her, for she had drawn from me a
little. "I love you--more than ever, I think, yes, indeed it must be
so--because I am here to shield you with my care--to make you my
wife."
"Wife?" she whispered, shrinking yet farther from me. "Your wife? You
would marry me in my--vileness--doubting my honour?"
"Your honour shall be mine, henceforth.
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