“Don’t wish to be anything but yourself, Sheila,” said Ronald with sudden impetuosity, “for I want you just as you are.”
The blood surged up into Sheila’s face; this was taking the bull by the horns with a vengeance. Ronald seemed to know he had committed himself, and stood his ground, holding her hands fast in his, and again letting the poor forget-me-nots drop to the ground.
“Sheila, I did not mean to be so sudden, I promised not to be in such haste; they all tell me I must not expect to carry everything before me. But when I see you, I forget everything except that I love you. Oh, Sheila, won’t you try and love me too? I am so sure I could make you happy, if you would only give yourself into my keeping.”
Her eyes were on the ground, but there was that in her down-bent quivering face that gave Ronald hope and courage. He bent over her and touched her cheek with his lips.
“Sheila, won’t you say you will try to care for me a little?”
“Oh, Ronald, I do!” she suddenly exclaimed; and then they forgot everything else in that wonderful first embrace of love, in which the gates of a new world seemed flung open before them, and they walked alone in that new world, as though it were their own for evermore.
“But, Ronald,” said Sheila gravely, after those first golden moments had passed, and they began to awake to the realities of life, “you must not ask me to be impatient or selfish. I must think of other people as well, and I must not promise anything without the consent of my uncles.”
“But you are nearly of age, my darling; you will soon be your own mistress.”
“Yes, but that is not quite it, Ronald. My uncles have been very kind to me; my home is with one of them, and my aunt begins to depend upon me. I must not be selfish; you would not like me if I were. We may have to wait a little perhaps, but you won’t mind that, will you, Ronald?”
“I don’t know,” answered Ronald. “And I have an idea your aunt will set herself against this, and she rules your uncle. I won’t have you spirited away from me again, Sheila. That I can’t stand!”