I got up off the floor and went to the window and back. I don't know why I
felt moved--a sudden sense of the cosiness came over me. The world looked
wet and bleak outside.

"Why do you say you want me to marry you, Mr. Carruthers?" I said. "You
are joking, of course."

"I am not joking. I am perfectly serious. I am ready to carry out my
aunt's wishes. It can be no new idea to you, and you must have worldly
sense enough to realize it would be the best possible solution of your
future. I can show you the world, you know."

He appeared to be extraordinarily good-looking as he stood there, his face
to the dying light. Supposing I took him at his word, after all!

"But what has suddenly changed your ideas since yesterday? You told me you
had come down to make it clear to me that you could not possibly obey her
orders."

"That was yesterday," he said. "I had not really seen you--to-day I think
differently."

"It is just because you are sorry for me; I suppose I seem so lonely," I
whispered, demurely.

"It is perfectly impossible, what you propose to do--to go and live by
yourself at a London hotel--the idea drives me mad."

"It will be delightful--no one to order me about from day to night!"