"Has Mr. Blessington proposed to you yet?"
"No."
"Don't let him. Would you really be happy on a farm,—even if it was rather hard work?"
He had to look down on her very steadfastly as he asked this. And she was slow in answering, and the tears came into her eyes before she murmured:
"Yes."
He was touched, and the same dominating dark desire came over him again. He held her fast in his arms, fast and silent. The desire was dark and powerful and permanent in him.
"Can you wait for me, even two years?" he asked.
"Yes," she murmured faintly.
His will was steady and black. He knew he could wait.
"In two years I shall have a farm for you to live on," he said. And he kissed her again, with the same dark, permanent passion.