"Do you wish for the truth?"

"Yes."

"I do like you--more than like you--but I don't love you--yet."

"Do you love any other man?"

"No."

"Do you like any other man more than you like me?"

"No."

Once more he bent forward. Eagerly he said:

"Then give me a chance--marry me, and I'll make you love me."

"You'll--make me--" she echoed.

"Yes," he murmured ardently. "I'll make you! And when once I have your
love, I'll hold it against the world! Be my wife! I'll be a loyal and
faithful husband. You shan't have a single care. You shall have every
luxury that money can buy. Virginia--will you marry me?"

His words, vibrating as they were with passion, sounded to her ears
like music. Was this, then, the love call which nearly every woman
heard some time in her life? And even if it was not love, would she
not be a fool to let slip an opportunity such as came only to a few?
At least he was as honest as herself. He admitted it was not love he
felt for her, but in time love would come to bless their union, there
was no doubt of that. Did any newly married couple really love each
other at first? It was impossible, yet no one had the courage to admit
it. She must decide and quickly. Her future was at stake--Fanny's
future, too--for her own prosperity would naturally help her sister.
Then, besides, he was such a nice, kind man. There was no reason she
should not be happy. As she looked at him sideways, and noted his
strong profile, his big, muscular frame, his air of energy and power,
and thought of his success, his prominent position, his good
reputation, she wondered to herself what more any girl could ask in a
husband.

Suddenly she felt his hand close upon hers. Gently but firmly he drew
her to him. She did not resist, but closed her eyes, feeling a
delicious thrill at the sensation of this big, strong man taking
possession of her in spite of her will. Her head fell back, and he
leaned forward until his lips nearly touched hers. But they went no
further. He held himself in control, as if holding back until his lips
had the right to seal their troth. Softly he murmured:

"Tell me--tell me, Virginia--will you marry me?"

Like a little frightened bird, helplessly fluttering its wings in the
captor's strong hands, she trembled under his caress.

"I don't know what to say," she murmured. "Give me time."

"Say yes," he murmured amorously.

Suddenly some one behind them coughed discreetly. Virginia, startled,