The room was a blaze of sunshine and a bower of spring freshness and fragrance: for here Rose had let her fancy have free play; and each garland, fern, and flower had its meaning. Mac seemed to have been reading this sweet language of symbols, to have guessed why Charlie's little picture was framed in white roses, why pansies hung about his own, why Psyche was half hidden among feathery sprays of maiden's-hair, and a purple passion-flower lay at Cupid's feet. The last fancy evidently pleased him; for he was smiling over it, and humming to himself, as if to beguile his patient waiting, the burden of the air Rose so often sung to him,-- "Bonny lassie, will ye gang, will ye gang To the birks of Aberfeldie?" "Yes, Mac, anywhere!" He had not heard her enter, and wheeling round looked at her with a radiant face, as he said, drawing a long breath,-- "At last! you were so busy over the dear man, I got no word. But I can wait: I'm used to it." Rose stood quite still, surveying him with a new sort of reverence in her eyes, as she answered with a sweet solemnity, that made him laugh and redden with the sensitive joy of one to whom praise from her lips was very precious. "You forget that you are not the Mac who went away. I should have run to meet my cousin, but I did not dare to be familiar with the poet whom all begin to honor." "You like the mixture then? You know I said I'd try to give you love and poetry together." "Like it! I'm so glad, so proud, I haven't any words strong and beautiful enough to half express my wonder and my admiration. How _could_ you do it, Mac?" and a whole face full of smiles broke loose, as Rose clapped her hands, looking as if she could dance with sheer delight at his success. "It did itself, up there among the hills, and here with you, or out alone upon the sea. I could write a heavenly poem this very minute, and put you in as Spring; you look like her in that green gown with snowdrops in your bonny hair. Rose, am I getting on a little? Does a hint of fame help me nearer to the prize I'm working for? Is your heart more willing to be won?" He did not stir a step, but looked at her with such intense longing that his glance seemed to draw her nearer like an irresistible appeal; for she went and stood before him, holding out both hands, as if she offered all her little store, as she said with simplest sincerity,-- "It is not worth so much beautiful endeavor; but, if you still want so poor a thing, it is yours." He caught the hands in his, and seemed about to take the rest of her, but hesitated for an instant, unable to believe that so much happiness was true. "Are you sure, Rose,--very sure? Don't let a momentary admiration blind you: I'm not a poet yet; and the best are but mortal men, you know." "It is not admiration, Mac." "Nor gratitude for the small share I've taken in saving uncle? I had my debt to pay, as well as Phebe, and was as glad to risk my life." "No: it is not gratitude."