very good news! to be celebrated over scoops of haagan daaz brandied cherry ice cream - congratulations carol. you have no idea how happy i am for you, the most kindred kindred spirit ever!

for you carol:

"But he, taking her clasped hands between both his, said, in a tone of reverent adoration - "...Say you will promise to be my wife - say it now...say that now and always i may prove to you that i love you with complete love." ,with the first tones and the first words, she had only a sense of solemn comfort, referring this goodness of deronda's to his feeling for ezra. but by degrees the rapturous assurance of unhoped for good took possession of her frame; her face glowed under deronda's as he bent over her; yet she looked up still with intense gravity, as when she had first acknowledged with religious gratitude that he had thought her 'worthy of the best'; and when he had finished, she could say nothing - she could only lift her lips to his and just kiss them, as if that were the simplest 'yes'. They stood then, only looking at each other, he holding her hands between his - too happy to move, meeting so fully in their new consciousness..."

'daniel deronda'george eliot