She began, but her voice failed.  She looked at him, and he was smitten to the heart to see that there were tears in her eyes.

‘If it gives you pain,’ he said in a low voice, drawing near to her, ’forget that I said anything.  I wouldn’t for my life make you feel unhappy.’

Thyrza smiled through her tears.  She saw how gentle his expression had become; his voice touched her.  The reverence which she had always felt for him grew warmer under his gaze, till it was almost the affection of a child for a father.

‘But should I be the right kind of wife for you, Mr. Grail?’ she asked, with a strange simplicity and diffidence.  ‘I know so little.’

‘Can you think of being my wife?’ he said, in tones that shook with restrained emotion.  ’I am so much older than you, but you are the first for whom I have ever felt love.  And’—­here he tried to smile —­’it is very sure that I shall love you as long as I live.’

Her breast heaved; she held out both her hands to him and said quickly: 

’Yes, I will marry you, Mr. Grail.  I will try my best to be a good wife to you.’

He stood as if doubting.  Both her hands were together in his he searched her blue eyes, and their depths rendered to him a sweetness and purity before which his heart bowed in worship.  Then he leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

Thyrza reddened and kept her eyes down.

‘May I go now?’ she said, when, after kissing her hands, he had released them at the first feeling that they were being drawn away.

‘If you wish to, Thyrza.’

‘I’ll stay if you like, Mr. Grail, but—­I think—­’

She had risen.  The warmth would not pass from her cheeks, and the sensation prevented her from looking up; she desired to escape and be alone.

‘Will you come down and speak to mother in the morning?’ Gilbert said, relieving her from the necessity of adding more.  ’She will have something to tell you.’

‘Yes, I’ll come.  Good-night, Mr. Grail.’

Both had forgotten the book that was to have been selected.  Thyrza gave her hand as she always did when taking leave of him, save that she could not meet his eyes.  He held it a little longer than usual, then saw her turn and leave the room hurriedly.

An hour later, when Mrs. Grail came into the parlour, Gilbert drew from its envelope and handed to her the letter he had received from Egremont on Christmas Eve.  She read it, and turned round to him with astonishment.

’Why didn’t you tell me this, child?  Well now, if I didn’t think there was something that night!  Have you answered?  Oh no, you’re not to answer for a week.’

‘What’s your advice?’

‘Eh, how that reminds me of your father!’ the old lady exclaimed.  ’I’ve heard him speak just with that voice and that look many a time.  Well, well, my dear, it’s only waiting, you see; something comes soon or late to those that deserve it.  I’m glad I’ve lived to see this, Gilbert.’