"To-day Joseph said this to me: 'Delay no longer. You are a new man in Christ Jesus. It has been given to me to know that the hour has come. Go to my dear sister in Christ, that gentle, lovely lady, and tell her of your love. She will be ready and waiting for you. This, also, I know, for it has been told me by the Holy Ghost.' "That is the message which I said in my letter to you that I was to bring you from Joseph. And now, and now, dearest, most beautiful and best, you have heard all my story." With these words he suddenly rose and stood above her, looking down at a head which was now bowed, at white hands that were clasped together upon her knees. There was a momentary silence, and then a single deep sob of happiness and realization came from the girl upon the sofa. The sound dispelled all his hesitation. It brought him back from the mystical realms of thought and spiritual memory to pure human emotion and love. He stooped down quickly and caught her by the arms, raising her up to him with a strong grasp that would not be denied. Then two words rang out like a bell in the quiet room--"At last!" She was in his arms now, close--ah, close! to the heart that beat for her alone. The freshness of her pure lips was pressed to his. The moment was of heaven, and from heaven. Two pure and noble natures were united by God in their love for each other. And now they are sitting side by side and hand in hand. The world is changed for them. Never again will it be the same, for they have tasted of the fruits of Paradise, have heard music which echoes from the shining pavements of the blest ... "Darling, there are no words at all in which to tell you how I love you. I have not a thought in the world which is not bound up in you, not a wish that is not centred in you." "And I in you. Oh, Tom, I did not know it was possible to be so happy." How long they sat thus in the quiet, dainty room neither of them could have said. Time, so slow moving and leaden-footed in the hours of hope, flies with swiftest wings when hope has blossomed into fruition. There was so much to say and tell! All their thoughts and hopes about each other from the very first must be mutually related, all the hidden secrets laid bare. "Did you really think that of me, sweetheart? Oh, if I'd only known!..." "But I wasn't different to other girls, really, darling. It was only because you, you loved me!" Happy, roseate moments! Perhaps they are the best and finest which life has to give, that God bestows upon his servants here below. The door opened, and a little group of people entered the room--Lady Kirwan, Sir Augustus, Marjorie, and with them Joseph himself. No one spoke for a moment. The new-comers all saw that the lovers were sitting hand in hand, that a declaration had been made. Then pretty Marjorie, regardless of form or ceremony or the presence of the rest, ran to her cousin, put her arms round her neck, and kissed her.