“It’s awfully good of you, Edward,” she whispered, almost tearfully. When he put it round her shoulders, the touch of his hands made her lose the little self-control she had left. A curious spasm passed through her, and she pressed herself closer to him; at the same time his hands sank down, dropping the cloak, and encircled her waist. Then she surrendered herself entirely to his embrace and lifted her face to his. He bent down and kissed her. The kiss was such utter madness that she almost groaned. She could not tell if it was pain or pleasure. She flung her arms round his neck and drew him to her. “What a fool I am,” she said at last, with something between a sob and a laugh. She drew herself a little away, though not so violently as to make him withdraw the arm which so comfortably encircled her. But why did he say nothing? Why did he not swear he loved her? Why did he not ask what she was so willing to grant? She rested her head on his shoulder. “Do you like me at all, Bertha?” he asked. “I’ve been wanting to ask you almost ever since you came home.” “Can’t you see?” She was reassured; she understood that it was only timidity that clogged his tongue. “You’re so absurdly bashful.” “You know who I am, Bertha; and----“ he hesitated. “And what, foolish boy?” she nestled still more closely to him. “And you’re Miss Ley of Court Leys, while I’m just one of your tenants, with nothing whatever to my back.” “I’ve got very little,” she said. “And if I had ten thousand a year, my only wish would be to lay it at your feet.” “Bertha, what d’you mean? Don’t be cruel to me. You know what I want, but----“ “As far as I can make out,” she said, laughing, “you want me to propose to you.” “Oh, Bertha, don’t laugh at me. I love you; I want to ask you to marry me. But I haven’t got anything to offer you, and I know I oughtn’t--don’t be angry with me, Bertha.” “But I love you with all my heart,” she cried. “I want no better husband; you can give me happiness, and I want nothing else in the world.” Then he caught her again in his arms, quite passionately, and kissed her. “Didn’t you see that I loved you?” she whispered. “I thought perhaps you did; but I wasn’t sure, and I was afraid that you wouldn’t think me good enough.” “Oh yes, I love you with all my heart. I never imagined it possible to love a person as I love you. Oh, Eddie, you don’t know how happy you have made me.” He kissed her again, and again she flung her arms around his neck. “Oughtn’t you to be going in,” he said at last; “what will Miss Ley think?” “Oh no--not yet,” she cried. “How will you tell her? D’you think she’ll like me? She’ll try and make you give me up.” “Oh, I’m sure she’ll love you; besides, what does it matter if she doesn’t?--she isn’t going to marry you.” “She can take you abroad again and then you may see some one you like better.”