When you came first I feared to love you too well, but your sweet face and your sweet ways have been too much for me.
It may be ungenerous in me to speak, seeing that I only have to offer you a true love, truer maybe than you will meet with in the gay world, a tarnished name, and a very humble home.

I have debts to pay, and a soil to wash off my name; but still, Margery, will you be my wife?
With your love nothing will be dark or difficult to me." It was very hard.

My heart was brimming over with a joyous reply to this appeal; but Mrs.Hollingford's uneasy face was vividly before my eyes all the time, and I could only say distressedly, "It cannot be, John.

It cannot, cannot be." "Why ?" he asked, almost sternly, and he rose up and stood above me.
"Tell me that you cannot love me--tell me you would rather save yourself for more honour, more prosperity, and I will never trouble you again.
Were I differently circumstanced I might plead, but I could not live to see you discontented, ashamed.

Why can it not be, Margery ?" I clasped my hands in my lap, and tried to speak firmly.