I would like to make you a proposal--a very respectful proposal, Mrs.Goddard--" Mrs.Goddard uttered a faint exclamation of surprise and fell back in her chair, staring with wide eyes at the squire, her cheeks very pale and her lips white.

He was too much absorbed in what he was saying to notice the short smothered ejaculation, and he was too much embarrassed to look at her.
"Mrs.Goddard," he said, his voice trembling slightly, "will you marry me ?" He was not prepared for the result of his speech.

He had pondered it for some time and had come to the conclusion that it was best to say as little as possible and to say it plainly.

It was an honourable proposal of marriage from a man in middle life to a lady he had known and respected for many months; there was very little romance about it; he did not intend that there should be any.

As soon as he had spoken he turned his head and looked to her for his answer.