'Thank you,' she answered very low.
'Major Loraine is completely calculated to make a wife happy, I should think,' said Vere, in the same cold scornful tone.
She lifted her head quickly. 'Indeed he is; he is the best, noblest, most generous man that breathes!'
'And you love him?'
'He has been everything to me all my life long, Mr Leveson—father, brother, friend. Would you not have me do what I can to prove my gratitude?'
'By making him a still nearer relation? Certainly. But for my part, there is one thing I should rather choose my wife to feel for me than gratitude. How everything changes in this world!' he added abruptly. 'Can it possibly be only one year since I stood at this same window with a girl by my side who promised to remember me and trust me till next Christmas? Such a short time! only twelve little months. I suppose it is true that
Woman's love is writ in water,
Woman's faith is traced on sand.
But I never believed it.'
'I hope you will not find it so,' said the girl softly, as she played nervously with the shining holly leaves, breaking them, and crushing the scarlet berries till they fell spoiled upon the floor. 'I must congratulate you.'
'I beg your pardon! Congratulate me! What upon?'