"I cannot help it," she said.
"Can I?"
"Truly?"
Her hand was lying on the marble ledge. Orsino laid his own upon it, and
both trembled a little. She understood more than any word could have
told her.
"For how long?" she asked.
"For all our lives now, and for all our life hereafter."
He raised her hand to his lips, bending his head, and then he drew her
from the window, and they walked slowly up and down the great room.
"It is very strange," she said presently, in a low voice.
"That I should love you?"
"Yes. Where were we an hour ago? What is become of that old time--that
was an hour ago?"
"I have forgotten, dear--that was in the other life."
"The other life! Yes--how unhappy I was--there, by that window, a
hundred years ago!"
She laughed softly, and Orsino smiled as he looked down at her.
"Are you happy now?"
"Do not ask me--how could I tell you?"
"Say it to yourself, love--I shall see it in your dear face."
"Am I not saying it?"
Then they were silent again, walking side by side, their arms locked and
pressing one another.
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