"Ah, I'm so sorry," she answered, "and I'm so glad, too, that I could
cry. You don't seem so much above me nor so far away."
"That was my chief reason for selling my title and estates," I answered,
reaching forward and taking her hand, which for the first time she did
not withdraw. "I sold them, Betty, for a large price, but my reason for
so doing was one that could not be measured by money. I want you for my
wife, Betty, and my title, at least, stood between us. I should have
given it away if I could not have sold it, because I want you, Betty,
more than anything else in all the world."
"Ah, please don't, Baron Ned!" she cried, bringing her handkerchief to
her eyes. "It can't be. I'm not so selfish as to take you at your word."
I was sitting on the cushioned bench by the wall, and she was in a chair
facing me, within easy reach, so I caught her wrists and drew her to me,
whispering:--
"Sit here, Bettina, by my side, and tell me why it cannot be, for I
pledge you my honor I am not to be denied." She resisted for a moment,
but at last sat down beside me, and I put my arm about her, despite her
fluttering struggle. "Now, tell me why, Bettina. I need not tell you that
you have my love. You know it without the telling."
She nodded her head "Yes," and covered her face with her hands.
"And am I wrong in believing that I possess your love?" I asked.
She shook her head to indicate that I was not wrong, and the little
gesture was as good as an oath to me.
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