'No, I can't.'

'Yes, my dear, yes. I'm sure you do. Very well. Then there comes
this young man. I am not a bit surprised that he should fall in
love with you--because I should do it myself if I were not your
uncle.' Then she caressed his arm. How was she to keep herself
from caressing him, when he spoke so sweetly to her? 'We were not a
bit surprised when he came and told us how it was. Nobody could
have behaved better. Everybody must admit that. He spoke of you to
me and to your aunt as though you were the highest lady in the
land.'

'I don't want any one to speak of me as though I were a high lady.'

'I mean in the way of respect, my dear. Every young woman must wish
to be treated with respect by any young man who comes after her.
Well;--he told us that it was the great wish of his life that you
should be his wife. He's a man who has a right to look for a wife,
because he can keep a wife. He has a house, and a business, and
ready money.'

'What's all that, uncle?'

'Nothing;--nothing at all. No more than that,'--saying which Michel
Voss threw his right hand and arm loosely abroad;--'no more than
that, if he were not himself well-behaved along with it. We want to
see you married to him,--your aunt and I,--because we are sure that
he will be a good husband to you.'

'But if I don't love him, Uncle Michel?'