But she drew back, trembling and frightened.
"I—oh, I did not mean that," she said, "I cannot—it is too late!"
"Queenie, do not be cruel to me again," he pleaded, carried away by the rush of his wild passion. "If you knew how I have wearied for you since you went away, how blank my life has been, you could not be so cruel! You would give yourself to me out of sheer pity and tenderness."
"But I do not love you," she said.
"I will teach you to love me, Queenie. I love you so well that I could not help winning your love in return if you only gave me the privilege to try. Say yes, my beautiful darling, and make me the happiest of men!"
She sat still with her head bowed and her hands locked together in her lap like one thinking intently. At length she said, without lifting her head to look at him:
"I do not believe I can make you happy, Captain Ernscliffe, but I will be your wife if you want me."
When the reception was over and the guests all gone, Queenie sought her father and found him alone in the library.
"Papa," she said, abruptly, laying her hand on his arm. "Captain Ernscliffe has proposed to me again!"