Standing in the close, tender clasp of his strong arms, she listened to a narration of his grief and loneliness, his hopes and fears, his desolation and struggles and prayers during their long separation.  Then for the first time she learned that he had come more than once to New York, solely to see her, having exacted a promise from Mr. Manning that he would not betray his presence in the city.  He had followed her at a distance as she wandered with the children through the Park; and, once in the ramble, stood so close to her that he put out his hand and touched her dress.  Mr. Manning had acquainted him with all that had ever passed between them on the subject of his unsuccessful suit; and during her sojourn in Europe, had kept him regularly advised of the state of her health.

At last, when Mr. Murray bent his head to press his lips again to hers, he exclaimed in the old, pleading tone that had haunted her memory for years: 

“Edna, with all your meekness you are wilfully proud.  You tell me you trust me, and you nestle your dear head here on my shoulder—­why won’t you say what you know so well I am longing, hungering to hear?  Why won’t you say, ’St. Elmo, I love you’?”

The glowing face was only pressed closer.

“My little darling!”

“Oh, Mr. Murray! could I be here.”

“Well, my stately Miss Earl!  I am waiting most respectfully to allow you an opportunity of expressing yourself.”

No answer.

He laughed as she had heard him once before, when he took her in his arms and dared her to look into his eyes.

“When I heard your books extolled; when I heard your praises from men, women, and children; when I could scarcely pick up a paper without finding some mention of your name; when I came here to-night, and paced the pavement, waiting for your admirers to leave the house; whenever and wherever I have heard your dear name uttered, I have been exultingly proud!  For I knew that the heart of the people’s pet was mine!  I gloried in the consciousness which alone strengthened and comforted me, that, despite all that the public could offer you, despite the adulation of other men, and despite my utter unworthiness, my own darling was true to me! that you never loved any one but S. Elmo Murray!  And as God reigns above us, His happy world holds no man so grateful, so happy, so proud as I am!  No man so resolved to prove himself worthy of his treasure!  Edna, looking back across the dark years that have gone so heavily over my head, and comparing you, my pure, precious darling, with that woman, whom in my boyhood I selected for my life-companion, I know not whether I am most humble, or grateful, or proud!

  ’Ah I who am I, that God hath saved
   Me from the doom I did desire,
   And crossed the lot myself had craved
   To set me higher? 
   What have I done that he should bow
   From heaven to choose a wife for me? 
   And what deserved, he should endow
   My home with thee?’”