"Bonny lassie, will ye gang, will ye gangTo the birks of Aberfeldie?"
"Bonny lassie, will ye gang, will ye gangTo the birks of Aberfeldie?"
"Yes, Mac, anywhere!"
He had not heard her enter, and wheeling round looked at her with a radiant face, as he said, drawing a long breath,—
"At last! you were so busy over the dear man, I got no word. But I can wait: I'm used to it."
Rose stood quite still, surveying him with a new sort of reverence in her eyes, as she answered with a sweet solemnity, that made him laugh and redden with the sensitive joy of one to whom praise from her lips was very precious.
"You forget that you are not the Mac who went away. I should have run to meet my cousin, but I did not dare to be familiar with the poet whom all begin to honor."
"You like the mixture then? You know I said I'd try to give you love and poetry together."
"Like it! I'm so glad, so proud, I haven't any words strong and beautiful enough to half express my wonder and my admiration. Howcouldyou do it, Mac?" and a whole face full of smiles broke loose, as Rose clapped her hands, looking as if she could dance with sheer delight at his success.
"It did itself, up there among the hills, and here with you, or out alone upon the sea. I could write a heavenly poem this very minute, and put you in as Spring; you look like her in that green gown with snowdrops in your bonny hair. Rose, am I getting on a little? Does a hint of fame help me nearer to theprize I'm working for? Is your heart more willing to be won?"
He did not stir a step, but looked at her with such intense longing that his glance seemed to draw her nearer like an irresistible appeal; for she went and stood before him, holding out both hands, as if she offered all her little store, as she said with simplest sincerity,—
"It is not worth so much beautiful endeavor; but, if you still want so poor a thing, it is yours."
He caught the hands in his, and seemed about to take the rest of her, but hesitated for an instant, unable to believe that so much happiness was true.
"Are you sure, Rose,—very sure? Don't let a momentary admiration blind you: I'm not a poet yet; and the best are but mortal men, you know."
"It is not admiration, Mac."
"Nor gratitude for the small share I've taken in saving uncle? I had my debt to pay, as well as Phebe, and was as glad to risk my life."
"No: it is not gratitude."
"Nor pity for my patience? I've only done a little yet, and am as far as ever from being like your hero. I can work and wait still longer, if you are not sure; for I must have all or nothing."
"O Mac! why will you be so doubtful? You said you'd make me love you, and you've done it. Will you believe me now?" And, with a sort of desperation, she threw herself into his arms, clinging there ineloquent silence, while he held her close; feeling, with a thrill of tender triumph, that this was no longer little Rose, but a loving woman, ready to live and die for him.
"Now I'm satisfied!" he said presently, when she lifted up her face, full of maidenly shame at the sudden passion which had carried her out of herself for a moment. "No: don't slip away so soon; let me keep you for one blessed minute, and feel that I have really found my Psyche."
"And I my Cupid," answered Rose, laughing, in spite of her emotion, at the idea of Mac in that sentimental character.
He laughed too, as only a happy lover could; then said, with sudden seriousness,—
"Sweet Soul! lift up your lamp, and look well before it is too late; for I'm no god, only a very faulty man."
"Dear Love! I will. But I have no fear, except that you will fly too high for me to follow, because I have no wings."
"You shall live the poetry, and I will write it; so my little gift will celebrate your greater one."
"No: you shall have all the fame, and I'll be content to be known only as the poet's wife."
"And I'll be proud to own that my best inspiration comes from the beneficent life of a sweet and noble woman."
"O Mac! we'll work together, and try to make theworld better by the music and the love we leave behind us when we go."
"Please God, we will!" he answered fervently; and, looking at her as she stood there in the spring sunshine, glowing with the tender happiness, high hopes, and earnest purposes that make life beautiful and sacred, he felt that now the last leaf had folded back, the golden heart lay open to the light, and his Rose had bloomed.
Cambridge: Press of John Wilson & Son.
Transcriber's note:Variations in spelling, punctuation and hyphenation have been retained except in obvious cases of typographical error.Page 372: "snowdrops in your bonny hair?" The transcriber has replaced the question mark with a period (full stop).
Variations in spelling, punctuation and hyphenation have been retained except in obvious cases of typographical error.
Page 372: "snowdrops in your bonny hair?" The transcriber has replaced the question mark with a period (full stop).