"If I did not seem so the first moment it was only because I was taken aback." "A great change has come over my fortunes," he continued, anxious to give her time, and yet aware that no conversation except on the object of his visit was really possible.

"I am at last in a position to marry." "When I heard the news I thought that you would probably marry soon." "Our engagement was broken off solely for lack of means," he continued.
Her eyes dropped.

"Now that that obstacle is removed I have come to ask you, to beg you most earnestly to renew it." "It is very good of you," she said almost inaudibly.

"I appreciate your--kindness." He saw that she was going to refuse him.

But he was prepared for that contingency.