His words, vibrating as they were with passion, sounded to her ears like music.  Was this, then, the love call which nearly every woman heard some time in her life?  And even if it was not love, would she not be a fool to let slip an opportunity such as came only to a few?  At least he was as honest as herself.  He admitted it was not love he felt for her, but in time love would come to bless their union, there was no doubt of that.  Did any newly married couple really love each other at first?  It was impossible, yet no one had the courage to admit it.  She must decide and quickly.  Her future was at stake—­Fanny’s future, too—­for her own prosperity would naturally help her sister.  Then, besides, he was such a nice, kind man.  There was no reason she should not be happy.  As she looked at him sideways, and noted his strong profile, his big, muscular frame, his air of energy and power, and thought of his success, his prominent position, his good reputation, she wondered to herself what more any girl could ask in a husband.

Suddenly she felt his hand close upon hers.  Gently but firmly he drew her to him.  She did not resist, but closed her eyes, feeling a delicious thrill at the sensation of this big, strong man taking possession of her in spite of her will.  Her head fell back, and he leaned forward until his lips nearly touched hers.  But they went no further.  He held himself in control, as if holding back until his lips had the right to seal their troth.  Softly he murmured: 

“Tell me—­tell me, Virginia—­will you marry me?”

Like a little frightened bird, helplessly fluttering its wings in the captor’s strong hands, she trembled under his caress.

“I don’t know what to say,” she murmured.  “Give me time.”

“Say yes,” he murmured amorously.

Suddenly some one behind them coughed discreetly.  Virginia, startled, sat up in confusion.  She and Stafford had been so completely engrossed that they had not heard the entrance of Oku, who had come in to announce that dinner was ready.

“Excuse, please!  Dinner, it is served!”

His master motioned him to go into the next room.

“Go and tell Miss Blaine and Mr. Gillie,” he said in a slightly annoyed tone.

The servant disappeared, and Stafford, inwardly cursing Oku for the interruption, returned to the attack.

“Won’t you say yes?” he pleaded.

But the spell was broken—­for the time at least.  Virginia had risen, and was busy rearranging her rumpled dress.

Glad of the interruption, she shook her head.  It was too serious a matter to be settled so quickly.  She must have time to think.

“Not now,” she murmured.

“Yes,” he persisted, again approaching her.

Her very resistance spurred him on.  Like most men, he valued most what he could not have.  Had she yielded readily, he would have thought less of her.  She drew back, as if avoiding his embrace.