"Yes," he said, delighted to find that she did not get up in a towering passion, as he had seen so many ladies do, under similar circumstances, on the stage. "I hope you do not feel offended. I have spoken too abruptly, perhaps—but now it is out, let me beg of you to listen to me. Look at this, Miss Brunel, fairly: I don’t think I have an unkind disposition—I am sincerely attached to you—you are alone, as I say, with scarcely a friend—we have many tastes in common, and as I should have nothing to do but invent amusements for you, I think we should lead an agreeable life. I am not a very young man, but on the other hand I haven’t my way to make in the world. You don’t like the stage. I am glad of it. It assures me that if you would only think well of my proposal, we should lead a very agreeable life. I’m sure we should have a pleasant agreeable life; for, after all,—it is absurd to mention this just now, perhaps—but one has a good deal of latitude in 30,000*l.* a year—and you don’t have to trouble your mind—and if the most devoted affection can make you happy, then happy you’ll be." Annie Brunel sate quite silent, and not very much affected or put out. She had been in good spirits all the morning, had been nerving herself for a heroic and cheerful view of the future; and now here was something to engage her imagination! There is no woman in the world, whatever her training may have been, who, under such circumstances, and with such a picturesque offer held out to her, would refuse at least to regard and try to realise the prospect. "You are very kind," she said, "to do me so much honour. But you are too kind. You wish to prevent my being subjected to the hardships of being poor and having to work for a living, and you think the easiest way to do that is to make me the mistress of all your money——" "I declare, Miss Brunel, you wrong me," said the Count, warmly. "Money has nothing to do with it. I mentioned these things as inducements—unwisely, perhaps. Indeed it has nothing to do with it. Won’t you believe me when I say that I could hope for no greater fortune and blessing in the world, if neither you nor I had a farthing of money, than to make you my wife?" "I am afraid you would be sadly disappointed," she said, with a smile. "Will you let me risk that?" he said, eagerly, and trying to take her hand. She withdrew her hand, and rose. "I can’t tell you yet," she said; "I can scarcely believe that we are talking seriously. But you have been always very kind, and I’m very much obliged to you——" "Miss Brunel," said the Count, hurriedly—he did not like to hear a lady say she was much obliged by his offer of 30,000*l.* a year—"don’t make any abrupt decision, if you have not made up your mind. At any rate, you don’t refuse to consider the matter? I knew you would at least do me that justice—in a week’s time, perhaps——"