"Of course we would be very sorry to lose you," she said quietly, "but you, no doubt, would be glad to get back to your home."
"No--I would not," he said passionately, coming a step nearer, "because you would not be there."
"I?"
Una Challoner rose to her feet in amazement at his words.
"I?" she repeated in a puzzled tone. "What have I to do with your movements?"
"Everything," said the unhappy young man with a gesture of despair. "When I came here a short time since I was perfectly happy--I had conquered all the evils and sorrow of my youth, and my life was a pleasant one, but since I saw you all is changed. I can think of nothing but you--morn, noon, and night, I see you before me--morn, noon, and night, I only hear your voice."
He looked at her defiantly and saw her standing silent and indignant before him.
"Can't you understand?" he burst out again rapidly. "I love you--I love you! from the first moment I saw you I loved you--I want you to be my wife, will you be my wife Una."
Miss Challoner felt perplexed--this man had only known her a fortnight, she had spoken very little to him, yet here he was asking her to marry him in a vehement, masterful manner which roused within her all the pride of womanhood.
"What you ask is impossible, Doctor Nestley," she said coldly and deliberately. "I have only known you a fortnight and--beyond this I am ignorant of your life in every way. I never dreamed that you would speak to me in this manner."