She had been playing a long time one evening in April, and had left the piano for a low chair beside the open fire.  She was tired.  Although spring had come, the evenings were chill and the room was large.  Her hands were cold and she spread them out to the blaze.  The heavy curtains billowed and sank and billowed again, as intrusive puffs of wind crept officiously through the crevices of the old casements.  Blanche and Berkeley were with her mother, and they were reading “Lorna Doone.”  She had read the book a week ago, and did not care to hear it over.

The front door opened quietly—­it was always on the latch—­and footsteps came along the hall; quick, eager footsteps, straight to the parlor door; the knob turned.  No need to turn her head, no need to question of her heart whose step, whose hand that was, to guess whose presence filled the room.

Thorne came across the room, and stood opposite, a great light of joy in his eyes, his hands outstretched for hers.  Benumbed with many emotions, Pocahontas half-rose, an inarticulate murmur dying on her lips.  Thorne put her gently back into her chair, and drew one for himself up to the hearth-rug near her; he was willing to keep silence for a little space, to give her time to recover herself; he was satisfied for the moment with the sense of her nearness, and his heart was filled with the joy of seeing her once more.  The lamps were lit, but burning dimly.  Thorne rose and turned both to their fullest brilliancy; he must have light to see his love.

“I want to look at you, Princess,” he said gently, seeking her eyes, with a look in his not to be misunderstood; “it has been so long—­so cruelly long, my darling, since I have looked on your sweet face.  You must not call the others.  For this first meeting I want but you—­you only, my love! my queen!” His voice lingered over the terms of endearment with exquisite tenderness.

Pocahontas was silent—­for her life she could not have spoken then.  Her gray eyes had an appealing, terrified look as they met his; her trembling hands clasped and unclasped in her lap.

“How frightened you look, my darling,” Thorne murmured, speaking softly and keeping a tight rein over himself.  “Your eyes are like a startled fawn’s.  Have I been too abrupt—­too thoughtless and inconsiderate?  You would forgive me, love, if you knew how I have longed for you; have yearned for this meeting as Dives yearned for water—­as the condemned yearn for reprieve.  Have you no smile for me, sweetheart?—­no word of welcome for the man whose heaven is your love?  You knew I would come.  You knew I loved you, Princess.”

“Yes;”—­the word was breathed, rather than uttered, but he heard it, and made a half movement forward, the light in his eyes glowing more passionately.  Still, he held himself in check; he would give her time.

“You knew I loved you, Princess,” he repeated.  “Yes, you must have known.  Love like mine could not be concealed; it must burn its way through all obstacles from my heart to yours, melting and fusing them into one.  Don’t try to speak yet, love, there is no need to answer unless you wish.  I can wait—­for I am near you.”