I waited with some anxiety, for life is worth something to a young man, even when things look blackest, and I never was a hero.
"I make you this offer," he said at last.

"Your boat lies there, ready.

Get into her and go, otherwise--" "I see," said I."And you will marry her ?" "Yes," he said.
"Against her will ?" He looked at me with something like pity.
"Who can tell what a woman's will will be in a week?
In less than that she will marry me cheerfully.

I hope you may grieve as short a time as she will." In my inmost heart I knew it was true.

I had staked everything, not for a woman's love, but for the whim of a girl! For a moment it was too hard for me, and I bowed my head on the table by me and hid my face.
Then he came and put his hand on mine, and said: "Yes, Martin; young and old, we are all alike.