He waited breathlessly for the effect.
Peg looked at him in blank astonishment.
All expression had left her face.
Then she leaned back against the balustrade and laughed long and
unrestrainedly. She laughed until the tears came coursing down her
cheeks.
Alaric was at first nonplussed. Then he grasped the situation in its
full significance. It was just a touch of hysteria. He joined her
and laughed heartily as well.
"Aha!" he cried, between laughs: "That's a splendid sign. Splendid!
I've always been told that girls CRY when they're proposed to."
"Sure, that's what I'm doin'," gasped Peg. "I'm cryin'--laughin'."
Alaric suddenly checked his mirth and said seriously:
"'Course ye must know, cousin, that I've nothin' to offer you except
a life-long devotion: a decent old name--and--my career--when once I
get it goin'. I only need an incentive to make no end of a splash in
the world. YOU would be my incentive." Peg could hardly believe her
ears. She looked at Alaric while her eyes danced mischievously.
"Go on!" she said. "Go on. Sure, ye're doin' fine!"
"Then it's all right?" he asked fervently.
"Faith! I think it's wondherful."
"Good. Excellent. But--there are one or two little things to be
settled first"
Even as the victorious general, with the capitulated citadel, it was
time to dictate terms.
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