"Kneel!" she commanded. "Kneel here upon the grass as I do kneel. Now, lay
by thy cumbrous helmet. Now fold thy great, strong hands. Now bow thy tall,
grim head and say in sweet, soft accents low and reverent: 'Melissa, I do
love thee heart and soul, thee only do I love and thee only will I love now
and for ever. So aid me, Love, amen!'" Then, closing his eyes, Sir Pertinax
bowed reverent head, and, humbly folding his hands, spake as she bade him.
Thereafter opening his eyes, he saw her watching him through gathering
tears, and leaning near, he reached out eager arms, yet touched her not.
Quoth he: "O maid beloved, what is thy sorrow?"
"'Tis joy--joy, and thou--thou art so strong and fierce yet so gentle and
simple of heart! O, may I prove worthy thy love--"
"Worthy? Of my love?" he stammered. "But O Melissa, I am but he thou didst
name harsh of tongue."
"Aye, I did!" she sobbed.
"Hard of heart, flinty of soul, rude, unmannered and unlovely."
"Aye--I did and--loved thee the while!" she whispered.
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