you have, but that doesn't count. There's no such word as fail
in the bright lexicon of my youth. Look here, dear girl, you don't
quite realise perhaps what a good time I'd give you if you married me.
I've got as much money as my sister has, and I'd do just as you liked
about staying in the army. You could have a house in New York, and a
whole, real live castle in your own country, if you liked. I wouldn't
care a rap how much you spent on clothes, and there isn't a woman in
America who's got better jewels than you should have--I'd see to that.
Besides, you could do what you chose--for your own people. I couldn't
stint you; I want to be friends with them. I never talked like this to
you before, but you see what I mean; and now, isn't what I've said any
inducement?"

"I wouldn't need any such inducements if I loved you," I answered. "But
I don't, and can't; and somehow I never have been able to believe that
you really loved me."

"If that's the trouble, you can make your mind easy. I want you badly."

"Then I'm sorry, for--I simply _can't_ marry you. I should be
miserable, and so would you."

"I'll risk that. You're too much of an English rosebud to understand
anything about love. What you must do is to trust others who know what
you ought to want better than you do yourself. Your mother, for
instance. You'd like to please her--and your sister and brother,
wouldn't you? Well, they all want you to say 'yes' to me."

"How do you know?" I broke out.

"I _do_ know. You can ask Kath if it isn't true."

"I don't want to talk to her about it."

"You needn't, if you'll only be a good girl and do what everybody
expects you to do. Come now, do say yes, and let's be happy."

That did make me furious.

"Anyone would think I was a naughty child, and you were some kind of
medicine the whole family was waiting for me to take!" I exclaimed.
"It's a wonder you don't get out your watch and give me five minutes to
do it in."

His eyes began to sparkle with anger. I believe he would have liked to
box my ears, and I know I could have boxed his.

"I thought English girls were brought up to be sensible," said he, "and
amiable."

"I can't help what you thought," I answered, rudely, for I was getting
desperate. "You've no right to keep me here like this, and it won't do
you a bit of good, for if you stand there till we're both in our second
childhood, I won't change my mind. You ought to know that now, Mr.
Parker. Please let me