’I thought I had prepared her sufficiently, but it seems that she was very much, startled by my proposal.  Her trouble had so engrossed her that she had been perfectly blind to my meaning.  It was all in vain, Ursula, for she did not love me,—­at least not in the right way.  She told me so with tears, accusing herself of unkindness.  She liked, most certainly she liked me, but perhaps she knew me too well.

’She was so unhappy at the thought of giving me pain, so sweet and gentle in her efforts to console me and heal the wound she had inflicted, that I could not lose hope.  She told me that, though she had trusted me entirely as her friend, she had never thought of me as her lover, and the idea was strange to her.  This thought gave me courage, and I begged that I might be allowed to speak to her again at some future time.

’She wanted to refuse, and said hurriedly that she never intended to marry.  But I took these words as meaning nothing.  A girl will tell you this and believe it as she says it.  I suppose I pressed her hard to leave me this margin of hope, for after reflecting a few minutes she looked at me gravely and said it should be as I wished.  In a year’s time I might speak to her again, and she would know her own mind.

’I pleaded for a shorter ordeal, though secretly I was overjoyed at this crumb of consolation vouchsafed to me.  But she was inexorable, though perfectly gentle in her manner.

’"I wish you had set your heart on some one else, Mr. Cunliffe,” she said, with a melancholy smile, “for I can give you so little satisfaction.  I feel so confused and weary, as though life afforded me no pleasure.  But, indeed, I do all you tell me, and I mean to go on with my work.”

’I was glad to hear her say this, for at least I should have the happiness of seeing her every day.

’"In a year’s time,” she went on, “my heart may feel a little less heavy, and I shall have had opportunity to reflect over your words.  I cannot tell you what my answer may be, but if you are wise you will not hope.  If you do not come to me then, I shall know that you have changed, and shall not blame you in the least.  You are free to choose any one else.  I have so little encouragement to give you that I shall not expect you to submit to this ordeal.”  But I think her firmness was a little shaken, and she looked at me rather timidly when I thanked her very quietly and said that at the time appointed I would speak to her again.  I supposed she had not realised the strength of my feelings.

’Ursula, I was by no means hopeless.  And as the months passed on my hopes grew.

’I saw her daily, and after the first awkwardness had passed we were good friends.  But her manner changed insensibly.  She was less frank with me; at times she was almost shy.  I saw her change colour when I looked at her.  She was quiet in my presence, and yet my coming pleased her.  I thought it would be well with me when the time came for renewing my suit; but it seems that I was a blind fool.