She had never been in the garden before , and she found her heart beating in a strange fashion . He did not hear her footsteps , and she was close behind him when she heard his voice , and realized that he was talking to himself , in a low , dreamy tone . As the meaning of his words dawned on her consciousness she started and grew crimson . She could not move or speak ; as one in a dream she stood and listened to the shy man 's reverie , guiltless of any thought of eavesdropping . `` How much I love you , Alice , '' Jasper Dale was saying , unafraid , with no shyness in voice or manner . `` I wonder what you would say if you knew . You would laugh at me -- sweet as you are , you would laugh in mockery . I can never tell you . I can only dream of telling you . In my dream you are standing here by me , dear . I can see you very plainly , my sweet lady , so tall and gracious , with your dark hair and your maiden eyes . I can dream that I tell you my love ; that -- maddest , sweetest dream of all -- that you love me in return . Everything is possible in dreams , you know , dear . My dreams are all I have , so I go far in them , even to dreaming that you are my wife . I dream how I shall fix up my dull old house for you . One room will need nothing more -- it is your room , dear , and has been ready for you a long time -- long before that day I saw you under the pine . Your books and your chair and your picture are there , dear -- only the picture is not half lovely enough . But the other rooms of the house must be made to bloom out freshly for you . What a delight it is thus to dream of what I would do for you ! Then I would bring you home , dear , and lead you through my garden and into my house as its mistress .
I would see you standing beside me in the old mirror at the end of the hall -- a bride , in your pale blue dress , XXXXX a blush on your face .
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