You are going to cry: keep the tears back till you have answered me.

Will you marry me ?" She put out a hand to steady herself, and opened her lips.

She felt the room spinning, and wanted to cry out for mercy.

But her mouth made no sound.
"Will you marry me ?" "Ye--e--yes!" As the word came, she sank down in a chair, bent her head on the table, and burst into a storm of tears.
"The devil's in it!" shouted her father, and bounced out of the room.
No sooner had the door slammed behind him than the stranger's face became transfigured.
He stood up and laid a hand softly on the girl's head.
"Ruby!" She did not look up.

Her shoulders were shaken by one great sob after another.
"Ruby!" He took the two hands gently from her face, and forced her to look at him.