Meanwhile I fretted and fumed, in a swelter of impatience. No doubt my lady was waiting for me and wondering at my delay! At last I was on the point of stepping out boldly to follow her, when Chita came scuffling out of the church, bent over like an old crone. She passed the young men, muttering and grumbling, and tottered half sideways around into the shadow. I caught her outstretched hand, and she led me quickly back along the flank of the towering edifice. We stopped before the dim outline of a little door. Chita tapped upon the panel, and stepped away a few paces, to stand with her back to me. A moment later the door swung open, without a sound, and a dark figure appeared. "Alisanda!" I whispered. "Juan!" she replied, stepping nearer. Ah, the rapture of that moment! Hers was no half love, to shrink with false shame. As I clasped her in my arms, her own arms slipped about my neck in tender embrace, and her lips met mine in a kiss of purest passion. Our hearts throbbed together in ecstasy. She drew back her head to gaze at me through the shadow. "Juan! Juan! my knight! Oh, the joy of leaning upon your dear breast! I could swoon for joy!" "Tell me you love me!" I demanded. "Juan! Can you doubt it? Could you have doubted it from the first--the very first? There in the midst of that miry avenue, when I looked out the coach window into the windows of your soul,--then it was, my knight--" "Then?" I questioned, my astonishment as great as my delight--"then, dearest heart? You perceived the love, the adoration which filled my whole being at my first view of your lovely face! You knew I would serve you and love you forever after!" "No, dear. I knew you loved me that moment. But I did not know you. I was very proud--I am still very proud. The blood of kings flows in my veins. I had vowed I should wed none other than one of kingly blood. I shall not break that vow." "Yet my arms are about you, Alisanda. See, I draw you still closer to my heart; I kiss your adorable lips!" As I eased my embrace a little, she sighed, and her head sank upon my shoulder. "Wait, dearest," she murmured. "Such ecstasy goes beyond my strength." "Alisanda!" I exclaimed, "tell me--you do love me--this is not a dream! I know you are in my arms, yet it is unbelievable--it is not possible that you--!" "Juan, my king!" she answered. "That?" "Yes, that! I believe in nobility of birth, for in that belief I was born and reared. But you have taught me a new belief; you have opened my eyes to see that there are men who are their own ancestors,--men so true and brave and chivalrous that they are kings among their fellows, whatever their birth." "Beloved," I said, "do not mistake. I am as other men. It was only the love you inspired that gave me strength to win you. I am but an average man. Yet with your love--with your dear self to glorify life for me, it may be I can rise above the average."