Taking the blossoms tenderly he lifted them to his lips. "What a pretty idea! Who but you would have thought of rewarding a common deed of kindness so sweetly? I shall cherish these flowers, they are so like you. Did you really pick them for me?" "Yes, and selected them out of many. It was all I had. If ever I can reward you better tell me, for I would willingly do you any favor to pay the debt of gratitude I owe you. I assure you I feel my obligation deeply," said Millicent, blushing. "There is a reward you could give me now; but I scarcely dare ask it, for I know it to be more than I deserve." And the captain gazed at Millicent with a look that brought a bright blush to the young girl's cheek. "Perhaps it is not," she replied, hesitatingly. "I don't think I understand you." "Well, then, Millicent,--may I call you that?--the drawing-room term of Miss does not suit our simple life here." And, as she nodded assent, he continued, "Will you answer a question, even a hard one?" "I will try." "Tell me, then, if ever in the heart where the plant of gratitude grew another far sweeter flower has grown?" "That of friendship do you mean?" "Yes; the plant might be called friendship, but its blossom is love. Ah, Millicent! may I not take the fairest of these sweet flowers, and, placing it in the centre, call it love surrounded by gratitude? Then would my nosegay be perfect indeed." Millicent looked, beyond the ardent gaze of the captain, into the lake, and made no reply. "Throwing off the language of flowers, and all language but that of simple truth, the reward I desire above all on earth is yourself. I know my request is a bold one, and I ought, I suppose, not to make it for months, if ever. But come it must, and to-night my heart has forced it to my lips." "It is very sudden," Millicent answered, faintly. "I know that, but, after all, most deep feelings are sudden. In the savages, with whom you have been associated, have you not seen hate and other strong passions develop in a moment? Why, then, should not love, in a more appropriate soil, spring to life? It certainly has taken deep root in my heart. Give me some answer, Millicent, if it be but that of hope deferred. Can you ever love me?" "What if I do now?" said Millicent, demurely. "Do you really, Millicent? Then I am the proudest, happiest man alive," said Merwin. And, possessing himself of both her hands, kissed them vehemently. "I trust I am doing right, Captain Merwin; I am almost sure I love you." "Thank you, dearest, thank you, for your sweet words. Your reward for them shall be my life devoted to your service." And he drew her to him and kissed her lips. "You deserve a whole life of thanks, Captain Merwin"-- "Call me Harold." "--for releasing me from such a captivity, Harold, and, lastly, from death, or worse than death." And weeping, she threw her arms about his neck and buried her head on his shoulder.