To one of these grottoes Louise now led her husband. "We will rest
here awhile," said she. "This grotto has one advantage--it lies at
the corner of the wall and has but one open side, and leafy bushes
are thickly grouped about it. We have no listeners to fear, and may
chat together frankly and harmlessly. And now, first of all,
welcome, my husband--welcome to your home!"
"God be thanked, Louise--God be thanked that you have at last known
how to speak one earnest word, and welcome me to your side! Believe
me, when I say that through all these weary years, each day I have
rejoiced at the thought of this moment. It has been my refreshment
and my consolation. I truly believe that the thought of you and my
ardent desire to see you was a talisman which kept death afar off.
It seemed to me impossible to die without seeing you once more. I
had a firm conviction that I would live through the war and return
to you. Thus I defied the balls of the enemy, and have returned to
repose on your heart, my beloved wife--after the storms and
hardships of battle to fold you fondly in my arms and never again to
leave you." He threw his arms around her waist, and pressed his lips
with a tender kiss upon her mouth.
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