Betty bit her lips.

“Nothing,” she said.

“Betty,” I said reproachfully, “I brought you up...or endeavored to bring you up...to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  Don’t tell me I have failed.  I’ll give you another chance.  Have you quarreled with Frank?”

“No,” said the maddening Betty, “HE quarreled with me.  He went away in a temper and I do not care if he never comes back!”

I shook my head.

“This won’t do, Betty.  As your old family friend I still claim the right to scold you until you have a husband to do the scolding.  You mustn’t torment Frank.  He is too fine a fellow.  You must marry him, Betty.”

“Must I?” said Betty, a dusky red flaming out on her cheek.  She turned her eyes on me in a most disconcerting fashion.  “Do YOU wish me to marry Frank, Stephen?”

Betty had a wretched habit of emphasizing pronouns in a fashion calculated to rattle anybody.

“Yes, I do wish it, because I think it will be best for you,” I replied, without looking at her.  “You must marry some time, Betty, and Frank is the only man I know to whom I could trust you.  As your guardian, I have an interest in seeing you well and wisely settled for life.  You have always taken my advice and obeyed my wishes; and you’ve always found my way the best, in the long run, haven’t you, Betty?  You won’t prove rebellious now, I’m sure.  You know quite well that I am advising you for your own good.  Frank is a splendid young fellow, who loves you with all his heart.  Marry him, Betty.  Mind, I don’t COMMAND.  I have no right to do that, and you are too old to be ordered about, if I had.  But I wish and advise it.  Isn’t that enough, Betty?”

I had been looking away from her all the time I was talking, gazing determinedly down a sunlit vista of pines.  Every word I said seemed to tear my heart, and come from my lips stained with life-blood.  Yes, Betty should marry Frank!  But, good God, what would become of me!

Betty left her station under the pine tree, and walked around me until she got right in front of my face.  I couldn’t help looking at her, for if I moved my eyes she moved too.  There was nothing meek or submissive about her; her head was held high, her eyes were blazing, and her cheeks were crimson.  But her words were meek enough.

“I will marry Frank if you wish it, Stephen,” she said.  “You are my friend.  I have never crossed your wishes, and, as you say, I have never regretted being guided by them.  I will do exactly as you wish in this case also, I promise you that.  But, in so solemn a question, I must be very certain what you DO wish.  There must be no doubt in my mind or heart.  Look me squarely in the eyes, Stephen—­as you haven’t done once to-day, no, nor once since I came home from school—­and, so looking, tell me that you wish me to marry Frank Douglas and I will do it!  DO you, Stephen?”