"Have you no confidence in me?" he asked. "Could you not accept me as your support through life?"
She looked on the ground. A deep blush spread over her face.
"But one must also----"
"Well, what?" he asked, and with piercing glance he gazed at her anxiously.
"Love," she whispered.
"And that you believe you could not feel for me?" he enquired.
Again she looked up at him. Again she sighed deeply, and her eyes were for a moment turned dreamily to the distance. Then a slight, half roguish smile came to her lips, and she whispered,--
"One cannot tell beforehand!"
"Beforehand?" he said, and a darker expression passed over his face.
"Cousin," she said, with sweetness and candour, as she held out her hand to him, "your words mean well, and it is flattering to me that you should think I can be anything to your life. Let me then tell you honestly, I think you are mistaken. Perhaps," she added kindly, "it is not needful to pursue this conversation, that has so surprised me, just now. Give me time. I promise to think of what you have said; and when we know each other better, I will tell you."