"Let us think only of the future," he said.
"Well, what of that?" she asked, forcing those sad thoughts aside, and becoming gay and selfish once more.
"Why should we wait for its happiness?" he continued. "I am rich, far richer than you guess. We are both young. Marry me at once, Ellen, and let us go away in search of pleasure and new scenes."
"Not yet," she answered. "I cannot."
"Why should we wait?"
"I will not be married until the year is up," she replied, more seriously.
"You will die in this stupid place."
"I am used to quiet."
"But now you have had a glimpse of another life; you know what money can do for you; your books have told you what a delightful life we might lead in France or Italy."
"That may be, but——"