or a
second before withdrawing behind the intrenched position afforded by the
huge chair from which she had risen, and on the back of which she now
leaned.

"It's the reason that looms largest," she replied--"so large as to put
all other reasons out of consideration."

"Then you're entirely mistaken," he declared, coming forward in such a
way that only the chair stood between them. "It's true that at Mrs.
Bayford's provocation I spoke in haste, but it was only to utter the
resolution I had taken plenty of time to form. If I were to tell you how
much time, you'd be inclined to scorn me for my delay. But the truth is
I'm no longer a very young man; in comparison with you I'm not young at
all. You yourself, as a woman of the world, must readily understand that
at my age, and in my position, prudence is as honorable an element in
the offer I am making you as romance would be in a boy's. I make no
apology for being prudent. I state the fact that I've been so only that
you may know that I've tried to look at this question from every point
of view--Dorothea's as well as yours and mine. I took my time about it,
and long before I warned Mrs. Bayford that she was speaking of one who
was dear to me, my mind was made up. With such hopes as I had at heart
it would have been wrong to have allowed her to go on without a word of
warning."

"I can see that it would have that aspect."

"Then, if you can see that, you must see that I speak to you now in all
sincerity. My desire isn't new. I can truthfully say that, since the
first day I saw you, your eyes and voice have haunted me, and the
longing to be near you has never been absent from my heart. I'll be
quite frank with you and say that, before you came here, it was my
avowed intention not to marry again. Now I have no desire on earth--my
child apart--so strong as to win you for my wife. The year we've spent
under the same roof must have given you some idea of the man whom you'd
be marrying; and I think I can promise you that with your help he would
be a better man than in the past. Won't you say that I may hope for it?"

With arms supported by the high back of the chair and cheek on her
clasped hands, she gazed away into the dimness of the room, as if
waiting for him to continue; but during the silence that ensued it
seemed to Derek as if a shadow crossed her features, while her bright
look died out in a kind of wistfulness. She had, perhaps, been hoping
for a word he had not sp