No doubt you have already asked her--or she suspects--" The lad shook his head.

"She don't have to marry nobody.

She's got money--an _es_-tate.

You think it's all right for me to do it ?" "Simpler men than you have asked that question, and wiser men than I have refused to answer.

As for me, I've never had the courage to take the plunge.