I was so proud of my family. I daresay I was
stupid. I never paid much attention to rank and that kind of thing, but
it did seem to me that family was different. I've seen my father, and
he simply doesn't realise for a moment that he's done something horribly
mean and shameful. There must be some taint in our nature. I couldn't
marry you; I should be afraid that my children would inherit the
rottenness of my blood.'

He listened to what she said. Then he went up to her and put his hands
on her shoulders. His calmness, and the steadiness of his voice seemed
to quieten her.

'I think you will be able to help your father and George better if you
are my wife. I'm afraid your position will be very difficult. Won't you
give me the great happiness of helping you?'

'We must stand on our own feet. I'm very grateful, but you can do
nothing for us.'

'I'm very awkward and stupid, I don't know how to say what I want to. I
think I loved you from that first day at Court Leys. I did not
understand then what had happened; I suddenly felt that something new
and strange had come into my life. And day by day I loved you more, and
then it took up my whole soul. I've never loved anyone but you. I never
can love anyone but you. I've been looking for you all my life.'

She could not stand the look of his eyes, and she cast hers down. He saw
the exquisite shadow of her eyelashes on her cheek.

'But I didn't dare say anything to you then. Even if you had cared for
me, it seemed unfair to bind you to me when I was starting on this
expedition. But now I must speak. I go in a week. It would give me so
much strength and courage if I knew that I had your love. I love you
with all my heart.'

She looked up at him now, and her eyes were shining with tears, but they
were not the tears of a hopeless pain.

'I can't marry you now. It would be unfair to you. I owe myself entirely
to my father.'

He dropped his hands from her shoulders and stepped back.

'It must be as you will.'

'But don't think I'm ungrateful,' she said. 'I'm so proud that I have
your love. It seems to lift me up from the depths. You don't know how
much good you have done me.'

'I wanted to help you, and you will let me do nothing for you.'

On a sudden a thought flashed through her. She gave a little cry of
amazement, for here was the solution of her greatest difficulty.

'Yes, you can do something for me. Will you take George with you?'

'George?'

He remained si