But it has told me so much that I feel is true, and that chimes
in with my own experience. It has told me much besides, that I am glad
to have been taught. Hear me then, dear Edith, and smile not carelessly
at my words, for I have now learned to tremble when I speak, in fear
lest I should offend you."
She would have spoken words of assurance--she would have taught him to
think better of her affections and their strength; but his impetuosity
checked her in her speech.
"I know what you would say, and my heart thanks you for it, as if its
very life depended upon the utterance. You would tell me to have no such
fear; but the fear is a portion of myself now--it is my heart itself.
Hear me then, Edith--_my_ Edith, if you will so let me call you."
Her hand rested on his assuringly, with a gentle pressure. He
continued--
"Hitherto we have lived with each other, only with each other--we have
loved each other, and I have almost only loved you. Neither of us, Edith
(may I believe it of you?) has known much of any other affection.
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