She shivered. The prospect made her feel cold.
"Then, my lord," she said, "I have nothing more to say. I shall not do justice to your rank, nor shall I bring to your house the dignity which you deserve. Such as I am, take me, if you will, or let me go, if you will."
"Can you doubt, Molly? I will take you." He hesitated; he took her hand again; he stooped and kissed her forehead. There was no passion in his kiss; no tenderness in his touch; no emotion in his voice. Such as he was then such he would always be. And though the door was closed, Molly seemed to hear again the voice of her mother murmuring "but only Thou, O God!"
Her lover drew the captain's armchair and placed it at the open window which looked out into the garden, then filled with flowers, fragrant and beautiful, and melodious with the humming of many bees.
"Sit down, Molly, and let us talk."
He did not sit down. He stood before her; he walked about the room; he played with the gold tassels of his sword.
"Molly, since we are to be married, we must be married at once."
"I am your lordship's servant."
"As soon as possible. Are you ready?"
"Ready? I suppose I could be ready in a month or six weeks."