"Tell the truth, Mary; has it not grown?"
"Indeed I cannot say. There; you shall have the whole truth. When he comes to me,—and I suppose he will come."
"There isn't much doubt of that."
"If he does come—"
"Well?"
"I hardly know what I shall say to him. I shall try to—to love him."
"Of course you will love him,—better than all the world."
"I know that he is paying me the greatest compliment that a man can pay to a woman. And there is no earthly reason why I should not be proud to accept all that he offers me. I have nothing of my own to bestow in return."
"But you are so beautiful."
Mary would make no pretence of denying this. It was true that that one great feminine possession did belong to her. "After all," she said, "how little does beauty signify! It attracts, but it can make no man happy. He has everything to give to a wife, and he ought to have much in return for what he gives."