‘Clara, say that you love me.’

‘I will say nothing to you because you are so rough.’  They were now walking up slowly towards the rocks.

And as he had his arm round her waist, he was contented for awhile to allow her to walk without speaking.  But when they were on the summit it was necessary for him that he should have a word from her of positive assurance.  ‘Clara, say that you love me.’

’Have I not always loved you, Will, since almost the first moment that I saw you?’

’But that won’t do.  You know that is not fair.  Come, Clara; I’ve had a deal of trouble and grief too; haven’t I?  You should say a word to make up for it that is, if you can say it.’

’What can a word like that signify to you today?  You have got everything.’

‘Have I got you?’ Still she paused.  ’I will have an answer.  Have I got you?  Are you now my own?’

’I suppose so, Will.  Don’t now.  I will not have it again.  Does not that satisfy you?’

‘Tell me that you love me.’

‘You know that I love you.’

‘Better than anybody in the world?’

‘Yes better than anybody in the world.’

‘And after all you will be my wife?’

‘Oh, Will how you question one!’

‘You shall say it, and then it will all be fair and honest.’

‘Say what?  I’m sure I thought I had said everything.’

‘Say that you mean to be my wife.’

‘I suppose so if you wish it.’

‘Wish it!’ said he, getting up from his seat, and throwing his hat into the bushes on one side; ’wish it!  I don’t think you have ever understood howl have wished it.  Look here, Clara; I found when I got down to Norfolk that I couldn’t live without you.  Upon my word it is true.  I don’t suppose you’ll believe me.’

‘I didn’t think it could be so bad with you as that.’

’No I don’t suppose women ever do believe.  And I wouldn’t have believed it of myself.  I hated myself for it.  By George, I did.  That is when I began to think it was all up with me.’

‘All up with you!  Oh, Will!’

’I had quite made up my mind to go to New Zealand.  I had, indeed.  I couldn’t have kept my hands off that man if we had been living in the same country.  I should have wrung his neck.’

‘Will, how can you talk so wickedly?’

’There’s no understanding it till you have felt it.  But never mind.  It’s all right now; isn’t it, Clara?’

‘If you think so.’

’Think so!  Oh, Clara, I am such a happy fellow.  Do give me a kiss.  You have never given me one kiss yet.’

‘What nonsense!  I didn’t think you were such a baby.’

’By George, but you shall or you shall never get home to tea to-night.  My own, own, own darling.  Upon my word, Clara, when I begin to think about it I shall be half mad.’

‘I think you are quite that already.’