"I shan't have much time, but Colon loves it; I love the exercise too, but I'm not sure about the fox!"
"You are too much of a sportswoman to join the squeamish set."
"I'm not a sportswoman but I do love riding. Pups and I had glorious days out in the Bush! I wish England didn't feel so small, but one gets used to being cooped up, and it's very good discipline."
"You are too young and too beautiful to talk of discipline," he murmured. Toney took her face out of a bush of sweet azaleas and looked at him in amazement, so he continued very quickly,
"Of course you must know that I think so, and that I—I—want to know if you will let me tell you I love you? Upon my word, I—do hope you'll give me a chance. Mother is awfully fond of you too, and in fact, will you be my wife?"
Never, never had Edward found it so difficult to compose a speech worthy of the occasion. He had never made love to such a perfectly simple bright-eyed girl, impervious to flattery.
Suddenly Toney realised that she was having an offer made to her:
"Gracious stars! You don't mean you want to marry me? I'm sure you don't, because Aunt Dove says no one can want to marry me except for my money," and Toney laughed happily, "and you are ever so much too nice for that."
If only she had been shy! If only she had not mentioned money in this bald way!
"Of course it isn't for your money—but——" the lie stuck a little in his throat, looking at those wide-opened laughing eyes, "but I think I could make you happy, and you should have your own way." Toney nodded.