At last! [_He takes her in his arms; she clings to him and gazes into his eyes; a long embrace._] Tell me that you're all right again.
Except that you deserted me, dear, just when I needed you most. Ernest, Ernest! never leave me again.
Deserted you? Why, your brother said you were ill.
But never mind now, I've got you at last, and I'll never, never let you go. You've got to sail with me to-morrow. Together! Oh, think! Together.
[_laughs from sheer joy of her nearness_]
Am I sure? Ten million times more to-day than yesterday.
Even so ... it is not, and can never be, as I love you.
For saying, years and years ago--in other words, last night--that you didn't think you'd marry me after all. [_She starts._] Why, what's the matter? You're trembling like a leaf. You _are_ ill!
Still a few lingering doubts? I had hoped a good night's rest would put those little prejudices to sleep forever.
[_She shakes her head, gazing at him soberly._
So you could not sleep? Neither could I; I was too happy to sleep. I was afraid I'd miss some wondrous throbbing thought of your loveliness. [_Takes her passive hand, puts a kiss in it, and closes it reverently while she looks into his eyes without moving._] Do you know, I'm disappointed in love. I always thought it meant soft sighs and pretty speeches. It means an agony of longing, delicious agony, but, oh, terrific. [_She says nothing._] Dear, dear girl, it may be easy for you, but I can't stand much more of this.
You must come to Paris with me or I'll stay home. All through the night I had waking visions of our being parted. Just when we had found each other at last. Some terrible impersonal monster stepped in between us and said: "No. Now that you have had your glimpse of heaven--away! Ye twain shall not enter here...." Silly, wasn't it? But I couldn't get the horror of it out of my head.
Do you know why, Ernest? Because it was in mine. It came from my thought to yours. You and I are attuned like wireless instruments. Even in the old blind days, there in the laboratory I used to read your mind. Shall I tell you the name of the monster that would put us asunder?... Its name is Marriage.
But I need you. You know that. And you need me. It's too late. We are helpless now--in the clutch of forces more potent than our little selves--forces that brought us into the world--forces that have made the world. Whether you will or no, this beautiful binding power is sweeping you and me together. And you must yield.