n opportunity such as rarely
presented itself. They would marry him first and find out if they
cared for him afterwards. But she was not that kind of a girl. She
believed in being true to her principles. She did not love him. She
admired his strength, his masterful energy; she respected his success
and achievements in life, but between such regard and real affection
for the man himself there was a wide gulf. If she was to be true to
the opinions she had always held concerning the marital relationship,
she must be candid and honest with herself and with him, no matter
what material advantages were to be gained by such a union. No
happiness could come of a marriage that was not based on material
regard or affection. They had known each other too short a time. He
might think now that he cared for her very much, yet it might not be
love which he felt for her at all, but only a horrible counterfeit,
which goes by the same name and which, like a fierce flame, flares up
suddenly and then dies down again. She was sufficiently sophisticated
and world-wise to gauge at its true worth the violent attraction for
the opposite sex which passion engenders in some men--an irresistible,
uncontrollable desire, which must be satisfied at any cost, even at
the price of their own happiness. Afterwards, when the novelty had
worn off, he might be sorry and she would be very, very unhappy. Was
it worth the sacrifice?

Stafford, bending over the arm of the chair on which she was seated,
came so near that he almost touched her. She could feel his warm
breath on her cheek. His eyes ardently fixed on hers, he whispered:

"Virginia--will you make a home for me? Will you be my wife?"

[Illustration: "VIRGINIA--WILL YOU MAKE A HOME FOR ME?" PAGE 137]

Startled, the girl drew back as if she had been stung. She had
expected the proposal, yet when it came she was taken completely by
surprise.

"Your wife!" she faltered.

"Yes--my wife."

She turned and looked straight at him. Agitated as she was within, her
manner did not betray it. Calmly she said:

"You take me by surprise. I am greatly flattered, but--is it not
rather sudden? We know so little of each other--"

Impulsively he seized her hand, and held it tight in his. She did not
attempt to withdraw it. He was so moved that he could scarcely control
his voice:

"I do not have to know you long to be convinced that you are the only
woman with whom I could be happy."

"But are you convince