Kilmeny seemed as far away from him as if she had in truth , like her namesake of the ballad , sojourned for seven years in the land `` where the rain never fell and the wind never blew , '' and had come back washed clean from all the affections of earth . Eric had a bad week of it ; but he determined to put an end to it by plain speaking . One evening in the orchard he told her of his love . It was an evening in August , with wheat fields ripening to their harvestry -- a soft violet night made for love , with the distant murmur of an unquiet sea on a rocky shore sounding through it . Kilmeny was sitting on the old bench where he had first seen her . She had been playing for him , but her music did not please her and she laid aside the violin with a little frown . It might be that she was afraid to play -- afraid that her new emotions might escape her and reveal themselves in music . It was difficult to prevent this , so long had she been accustomed to pour out all her feelings in harmony . The necessity for restraint irked her and made of her bow a clumsy thing which no longer obeyed her wishes . More than ever at that instant did she long for speech -- speech that would conceal and protect where dangerous silence might betray . In a low voice that trembled with earnestness Eric told her that he loved her -- that he had loved her from the first time he had seen her in that old orchard . He spoke humbly but not fearfully , for he believed that she loved him , and he had little expectation of any rebuff . `` Kilmeny , will you be my wife ? '' he asked finally , taking her hands in his . Kilmeny had listened with averted face . At first she had blushed painfully but now she had grown very pale . When he had finished speaking and was waiting for her answer , she suddenly pulled her hands away , and , putting them over her face , burst into tears and noiseless sobs . `` Kilmeny , dearest , have I alarmed you ? Surely you knew before that I loved you . Do n't you care for me ? ''
Eric said , putting his arm about her and trying XXXXX draw her to him .
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