She said, faltering: "Would you have me marry one I do not love ?" "Well, well!" He drew back.

"You are going to do your best to stop the purchase of Besworth ?" "No; I am quiescent." "Though I tell you how deeply it concerns me!" "Wilfrid, my own brother!" (Cornelia flung herself before him, catching his hand,) "I wish you to be loved, first of all.

Think of the horror of a loveless marriage, however gilded! Does a woman make stipulations ere she gives her hand?
Does not love seek to give, to bestow?
I wish you to marry well, but chiefly that you should be loved." Wilfrid pressed her head in both his hands.
"I never saw you look so handsome," he said.

"You've got back your old trick of blushing, too! Why do you tremble?
By the way, you seem to have been learning a great deal about that business, lately ?" "What business ?" "Love." A river of blood overflowed her fair cheeks.
"How long has this been ?" his voice came to her.
There was no escape.

She was at his knees, and must look up, or confess guilt.
"This ?" "Come, my dearest girl!" Wilfrid soothed her.