With a sudden gesture she rose to her knees and fronted me.
"This!" she cried, and held up the severed painter. "It has been
cut! Oh, Dick! Dick! how could you be so mad."
"Lisbeth !" I exclaimed, "do you mean to say that you think - "
"I know!" she broke in, and turning away, hid her face in her hands.
We were not so very far from the bend now, and seeing this, a sudden
inspiration came upon me, by means of which I might prove her mind
towards me once and for all; and as she kneeled before me with
averted face, I leaned forward and took her hands in mine.
"Lisbeth," I said, "supposing I did cut the boat adrift like a - a
fool - endangering your life for a mad, thoughtless whim - could
you forgive me?"
For a long moment she remained without answering, then very slowly
she raised her head:
"Oh. Dick!" was all she said, but in her eyes I read the wonder of
wonders.
"But, Lisbeth," I stammered, "could you still love me - even - even
if, through my folly, the worst should happen and we - we - "
"I don't think I shall be so very much afraid, Dick, if you will
hold me close like this," she whispered.
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