She knows the whole story from beginning to end. If she has told
you, you know all."
"Certainly I do; and, knowing all, I have come here to beg you to make
me happy, to honor me with your love, to be my Wife. Ah, Madaline, do
not let your pride part us!"
He saw that she trembled and hesitated.
"Only imagine what life must be for us, Madaline, if we part. You would
perhaps go on living with the duchess all your life--for, in spite of
your coyness and your fear, I believe you love me so well, darling,
that, unless you marry me, you will marry no one--you would drag on a
weary, tried, sad, unhappy existence, that would not have in it one
gleam of comfort."
"It is true," she said, slowly.
"Of course it is true. And what would become of me? The sun would have
no more brightness for me; the world would be as a desert; the light
would die from my life. Oh, Madaline, make me happy by loving me!"
"I do love you," she said, unguardedly.
"Then why not be my wife?"
She drew back trembling, her face pale as death.
"Why not be my wife?" he repeated.
"It is for your own sake," she said. "Can you not see? Do you not
understand?"
"For my sake.
Pages:
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235