She tried in vain to stop him, he would be heard to the end.
"Mr. Lyttleton," she said, rising with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, "I thank you for the honor you have done me, but I cannot entertain such a proposition for a moment. Nay, hear me out," as he seemed about to enter a protest, "even as you have compelled me to hear you. I would have spared you the pain of a rejection, but you would not let me."
"My dear Miss Nell—Miss Lamar," he stammered, "it cannot be that I hear aright! or if I do that you understand what it is that you are rejecting. I will say nothing"—with an affectation of humility—"of any charms of person or address that some may attribute to your humble servant, but an honored and ancient name, an assured position among the English gentry, fine estate, large fortune—"
She interrupted him, drawing herself up to her full height, while her eyes flashed and her cheek crimsoned with indignation.
"If I ever marry, Mr. Lyttleton, it shall be neither position nor estate—least of all money."
"What more can you ask, pray?" he inquired, folding his arms and throwing back his head with an air of hauteur.
"Something of infinitely greater worth," she replied, her eyes kindling, "infinitely better and higher; the love and confidence of a true and noble heart, the heart of a man who lives not for himself, but for others, who is not content to pass his days in inglorious ease and idleness, but does with his might what his hands find to do to glorify God and benefit his fellow men."
"Clendenin, curse him!" he muttered between his clinched teeth.
Her quick ear caught the words not meant for it.
"Yes," she said, with a peculiar smile, "Dr. Clendenin answers the description very well, but not he alone; I am thankful to say there are others among my countrymen who do."