An indignant look swept over Mercy's face for a moment, but only for a moment.

She knew Stephen's love too well.
"No, Stephen," she said, "I would not.

If you had asked me at first, I should have done it.

I thought then that it would be best," she said, with hot blushes mounting high on her cheeks; "but I have seen since that it would not." Stephen sighed.

"I am glad you see that," he said.