Marian stood with her face bowed and hidden in her hands; but above the
tips of her fingers, her forehead, crimsoned, might be seen. One half
her auburn hair had escaped and rippled down in glittering disorder. And
so she stood a few moments. But soon, removing her hands and turning
away, she said, in a troubled tone:
"Rise. Never kneel to any creature; that homage is due the Creator
alone. Oh, rise!"
"First pardon me--first hear me, beloved girl!"
"Oh, rise--rise, I beg you! I cannot bear to see a man on his knee,
except in prayer to God!" she said, walking away.
He sprang up and followed her, took her hand, and, with gentle
compulsion, made her sit down upon a bank; and then he sank beside her,
exclaiming eagerly, vehemently, yet in a low, half-smothered tone:
"Marian, I love you! I never spoke these words to woman before, for I
never loved before. Marian, the first moment that I saw you I loved you,
without knowing what new life it was that had kindled in my nature. I
have loved you more and more every day! I love you more than words can
tell or heart conceive! I only live in your presence! Marian! not one
word or glance for me? Oh, speak! Turn your dear face toward me," he
said, putting his hand gently around her head.
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