He led me to a seat among the leaves close by, and sitting down beside me and taking my hand in his, spoke to me thus, "My darling girl, in what there has been between us, I have, I hope, been really solicitous for your happiness. 
He led me to a seat among the leaves. Sitting down beside me and taking my hand, he said, smiling, "My darling girl, I wish for your happiness. 