Page:An orchard princess (IA orchardprincess00barbiala).pdf/227

 "Do you know what you've done?" she asked, with a little tremulous laugh.

"Done? I've kissed the Princess!" he answered, triumphantly. "I've kissed the woman I love better than all the world and all that the world has in it!"

She crept back to him until his arms were again close about her.

"Oh, yes, yes!" she sighed, happily. "Say it again—please!"

"That I love you?"

The head against his shoulder nodded shyly.

"I shan't," he answered, sternly, "until you have said it."

"Then listen!" she whispered. He listened, but for a moment the only sound he heard was the beating of his heart and the hollow gurgling of the little brook under its skim