Dick hesitated a fraction of a second.
He was genuinely moved.) "The point is that I'm in love with you, and I
have been for some time past. I ... I can't put it more plainly ... (One
moment, please, I've nearly done.) ... I can't think of anything else;
and I haven't been able to for the last two or three months. I ... I ...
I'm fearfully sorry for poor old Frank; I'm very fond of him, you know,
but I couldn't help finding it an extraordinary relief when I heard the
news. And now I've come to ask you, perfectly straight, whether you'll
consent to be my wife."

Dick looked at her for the first time since he had begun his little
speech.

She still sat absolutely quiet (she had not even moved at the two words
she had uttered), but she had gone paler still. Her mouth was in repose,
without quiver or movement, and her beautiful eyes looked steadily on to
the lawn before her. She said nothing.

"If you can't give me an answer quite at once," began Dick again
presently, "I'm perfectly willing to--"

She turned and looked him courageously in the face.

"I can't say 'Yes,'" she said. "That would be absurd.... You have been
quite straightforward with me, and I must be straightforward with you.
That is what you wish, isn't it?"

Dick inclined his head. His heart was thumping furiously with
exultation--in spite of her words.

"Then what I say is this: You must wait a long time. If you had insisted
on an answer now, I should have said 'No.' I hate to keep you waiting,
particularly when I do really think it will be 'No' in the long run; but
as I'm not quite sure, and as you've been perfectly honest and
courteous, if you really wish it I won't say 'No' at once. Will that
do?"

"Whatever you say," said Dick.

"You mustn't forget I was engaged to Frank till quite lately. Don't you
see how that obscures one's judgment? I simply can't judge now, and I
know I can't.... You're willing to wait, then?--even though I tell you
now that I think it will be 'No'?"

"Whatever you say," said Dick again; "and may I say thank you for not
saying 'No' at once?"

A very slight look of pain came into the girl's eyes.

"I would sooner you didn't," she said. "I'm sorry you said that...."

"I'm sorry," said poor Dick.

There was a pause.

"One other thing," said Jenny. "Would you mind not saying anything to my
father? I don't want him to be upset any more. Have you told anybody
else you were--?"

"Yes," said Dick bravely, "I told Archi