Nobody has a
right to expect a woman to undergo such a life."
Clover absorbed herself in her sewing, she did not speak; but still that
deep uncomfortable blush burned on her cheeks.
"What do you think?" persisted Geoff. "Wouldn't it be inexcusable
selfishness in a man to ask such a thing?"
"I think;" said Clover, shyly and softly, "that a man has a right to ask
for whatever he wants, and--" she paused.
"And--what?" urged Geoff, bending forward.
"Well, a woman has always the right to say no, if she doesn't want to say
yes."
"You tempt me awfully," cried Geoff, starting up. "When I think what this
place is going to seem like after you've gone, and what the ranch will be
with all the heart taken from it, and the loneliness made twice as lonely
by comparison, I grow desperate, and feel as if I could not let you go
without at least risking the question. But Clover,--let me call you so
this once,--no woman could consent to such a life unless she cared very
much for a man. Could you ever love me well enough for that, do you
think?"
"It seems to me a very unfair sort of question to put," said Clover, with
a mischievous glint in her usually soft eyes. "Suppose I said I could, and
then you turned round and remarked that you were ever so sorry that you
couldn't reciprocate my feelings--"
"Clover," catching her hand, "how can you torment me so? Is it necessary
that I should tell you that I love you with every bit of heart that is in
me, and need you and want you and long for you, but have never dared to
hope that you could want me? Loveliest, sweetest, I do, and I always
shall, whether it is yes or no.
Pages:
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201