"It is strange," answered Godfrey, with an involuntary sigh.
Hesper turned and looked at him.
It was not merely sadness she saw on his face. There was
something there almost like humility, though Hesper was not able
to read it as such. He lifted his head, and did not avoid her
gaze.
"You are wondering, Hesper," he said, "that I do not respond with
more pleasure. To tell you the truth, I have come through so much
that I am almost afraid to expect the fruition of any good.
Please do not imagine, you beautiful creature! it is of the
property I am thinking. In your presence that would be
impossible. Nor, indeed, have I begun to think of it. I shall,
one day, come to care for it, I do not doubt--that is, when once
I have you safe; but I keep looking for the next slip that is to
come--between my lip and this full cup of hap-piness. I have told
you all, Hesper, and I thank you that you do not despise me. But
it may well make me solemn and fearful, to think, after all the
waves and billows that have gone over me, such a splendor should
be mine!--But, do you really love me, Hesper--or am I walking in
my sleep? I had thought, 'Surely now at last I shall never love
again!'--and instead of that, here I am loving, as I never loved
before!--and doubting whether I ever did love before!"
"I never loved before," said Hesper. "Surely to love must be a
good thing, when it has made you so good! I am a poor creature
beside you, Godfrey, but I am glad to think whatever I know of
love you have taught me.
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