"Oh, Gawd!" cried Angelica, astounded.
Eddie’s face grew scarlet.
"Why shouldn’t you?" he said.
"But——”
"I’ve—I can offer you—I have a good income," he went on, angry and embarrassed. "I own Buena Vista, with a small mortgage on it. I have something invested, and I’m earning plenty. I’m doing well. I’ll be a rich man before long."
"Yes, I know; but——”
"And—I think I’d make a good husband. I admire you so much—I can’t tell you how much! I think you’re—wonderful. You haven’t a penny, you haven’t any family, any position——”
"Now, look here!" she interrupted, threateningly.
He hastened to repair his lack of tact.
"I’m only mentioning that to show you that I think that you—just yourself—are worth more than any other woman on earth. It seems to me you have all the qualities I’ve always admired—pride, and spirit, and ambition, and strength—and then you’re so beautiful. I—really, Angelica, if you would marry me, I could do anything. I’m only twenty-nine, you know."