"Papa has been so good; isn't he good?"
"Indeed he is. The best man I know out," said George, thinking that his gratitude would have been stronger had the Baronet given him the money and allowed him to go up to London to settle his own debts.
"And Mamma has been so kind! Mamma is very fond of you. I am sure she would do anything for you."
"And you?" said George, looking into her face.
"I!—As for me, George, it is a matter of course now. You do not want to be told again what is and ever must be my first interest in the world."
"I do not care how often you tell me."
"But you know it; don't you?"
"I know what you said at the waterfall, Emily."
"What I said then I said for always. You may be sure of that. I told Mamma so, and Papa. If they had not wanted me to love you, they should not have asked you to come here. I do love you, and I hope that some day I may be your wife."
She was not leaning on his arm, but as she spoke she stopped, and looked stedfastly into his face. He put out his hand as though to take hers; but she shook her head, refusing it. "No, George; come on. I want to talk to you a great deal. I want to say ever so much,—now, to-day. I hope that some day I may be your wife. If I am not, I shall never be any man's wife."