“Well?”
“I am going away in a week—must we then part?”
“Not unless you wish to go and leave me behind, Mark.”
“Wish to leave you behind! In leaving you I should turn my back upon my guiding star, my inspiration, my life!”
“Then I accompany you, Mark.”
“Your friends, Rose, will they not raise serious opposition?”
“No! I have neither father nor mother, and there are no other friends who have any wish to rule me, or any interest in doing so. My young step-mother is going to break the conventional tie between herself and me by marrying a second time; and with her own heart under the gentle influence of happiness, she will not be disposed to wring mine. As for my uncle, his son has brought a wife home now, who will be the mistress of his house, and he no longer requires my presence in that capacity. Indeed, I might even be considered in the way. And neither am I disposed to take a second place in a household of which I have hitherto been at the head. And that reminds me that I am at the head of it still, and that the duties of the position press upon me every hour—even now,” said Rosalie, moving to go.
He caught her hand to detain her.
“Stay—do not leave me just yet. And so, my dearest Rosalie, when I go forth you will accompany me?”
“I have said that if you wish it—yes, I will accompany you.”