I have been thinking of you as my possible wife for weeks past,--for months past.

Of course you have not had such thoughts about me." As he said this she almost loved him for his considerate goodness.

"It has sometimes seemed to me odd that girls should love men in such a hurry.

If your heart be free, I will wait.

And if you esteem me, you can see, and try whether you cannot learn to love me." "I do esteem you." "It depends on that question, then ?" he said, slowly.
She sat silent for fully a minute, with her hands clasped; and then she answered him in a whisper.