"That's my only hope. If he were hanged, or locked up for a certain number of years, Lahoma'd go East. But as long as he's at large, she'll wait for him to turn up. She'll stay right there in the cove till she dies of old age, if he's free to visit her at odd moments. It's her idea of fidelity, and it's true that he did take her in when she needed somebody. There's a move on foot now, to arrest him for an old crime—a murder. I witnessed the deed—I'll testify, if called on. Lahoma will hate me for that—but it'll be the greatest favor I could possibly do her. She knows I mean to appear against him, and she thinks me a brute. But if I can convict Willock, it'll place Lahoma in a family of wealth and refinement—"
He broke off with, "Wonder why that old deaf boatman doesn't come?" He walked impatiently to the head of the steps and stared out over the lake. "Somebody out there now," he exclaimed. "Oh,—it's Edgerton, rowing about!"
He returned to the bench, but did not sit down. "Annabel," he said abruptly, "you promised me to name the day, this morning."
"Yes," she responded very faintly.
"And I am sure, dear," he added in a deep resonant voice, "that in time you will come to care for me as I care for you now—you, the only woman I have ever loved. I understand about Edgerton, but you see, you couldn't marry him—in fact, he couldn't marry anybody for years; he has nothing.... And these earlier attachments that we think the biggest things in our lives—well, they just dwindle, Annabel, they dwindle as we get the true perspective. I know your happiness depends upon me, and it rejoices me to know it. I can give you all you want—all you can dream of—and I'm man-of-the-world enough to understand that happiness depends just on that—getting what you want."
Annabel started up abruptly. "I think I heard the boat scraping outside."
"Yes, he's there. Come, dear, and before the ride is ended you must name the day—"
"DON'T!" she exclaimed sharply. "He—"
"He's as deaf as a post, my dear," Gledware murmured gently. "That's why I selected him. I knew we'd want to talk—I knew you'd name the day."
He helped her down the rattling boards.