She was training a vine over a trellis, when a familiar step on the walk startled her slightly and deepened the color on her cheek; then a voice close at her side said, “Let me help you. My superior height will give me an advantage in training those taller tendrils.”
“Thank you,” she answered, accepting his offer, but without looking round, and feeling her cheeks grow hot, for she knew instinctively what was coming.
He praised the beauty of the vine; then presently they turned from it to the flower-beds, and for a little made conversation about them.
Neither felt a very deep interest in the subject-matter of discourse at that moment; there was shortly a pause in the stream of talk, and summoning up all his courage, Warren began upon the theme that lay nearest his heart.
He told Miriam frankly that he loved her and wanted to make her his wife; that she had attracted him strongly from the first hour of their acquaintance, and more and more as he learned to know her better and perceived the beauty of her character, till months ago she had become so dear to his heart that he felt he should be able to find little joy in life without her sweet companionship; that he had refrained from speaking till now only because of his straitened circumstances, but lately he had learned that an investment had turned out remarkably well, and as he had now a constantly increasing and lucrative practice, he felt justified in making her an offer of his heart and hand, having a reasonable prospect of being able to support her in comfort.
He paused, but receiving no reply, went on again.
“I feel, dear Miss Miriam, that your worth is far beyond my deserts, but I am sure no one could love you better or be more earnestly and sincerely determined to do all in his power to make your life bright and happy.”
Still no reply.
“I fear I have not won your heart,” he sighed, “but, dear girl, can you not give me a little hope that I may be able to do so in time?”
“I thank you sincerely for your generous offer, Captain Charlton,” she responded at last, speaking in low, tremulous tones, and with half-averted face, “but—but—I think I cannot be spared from home; I think grandmother, the children, Ronald, all need me. Grandmother is too old to bear alone the burden of household cares and responsibilities, and Ronald is not yet strong enough to take charge of the farm.”