"Therefore think again while there is time." He slowly dragged himself up from his chair, and left her almost without a word at parting. She had persuaded him--to take another week. It was not that he doubted in the least his own purpose, but he did not know how to gainsay her as to this small request. In that frame of mind which is common to young men when they do not get all that they want, angry, disappointed, and foiled, he went down-stairs, and opened the front door,--and there on the very steps he met Marion Fay. "Marion," he said, pouring all the tenderness of his heart into his voice. "My lord?" "Come in, Marion,--for one moment." Then she followed him into the little passage, and there they stood. "I had come over to ask you how you are after our little party." "I am quite well;--and you?" "I have been away with my father, or I should have come sooner." "Nay;--it was not necessary that you should trouble yourself." "It is necessary;--it is necessary; or I should be troubled very much. I am troubled." She stood there looking down on the ground as though she were biding her time, but she did not speak to him. "She would not come with me," he said, pointing up the stairs on which Mrs. Roden was now standing. "She has told me that it is bad that I should come; but I will come one day soon." He was almost beside himself with love as he was speaking. The girl was so completely after his own heart as he stood there close to her, filled with her influences, that he was unable to restrain himself. "Come up, Marion dear," said Mrs. Roden, speaking from the landing. "It is hardly fair to keep Lord Hampstead standing in the passage." "It is most unfair," said Marion. "Good day, my lord." "I will stand here till you come down to me, unless you will speak to me again. I will not be turned out while you are here. Marion, you are all the world to me. I love you with my whole, whole heart. I had come here, dear, to tell you so;--but she has delayed me. She made me promise that I would not come again for a week, as though weeks or years could change me? Say one word to me, Marion. One word shall suffice now, and then I will go. Marion, can you love me?" "Come to me, Marion, come to me," said Mrs. Roden. "Do not answer him now." "No," said Marion, looking up, and laying her hand gently on the sleeve of his coat. "I will not answer him now. It is too sudden. I must think of words to answer such a speech. Lord Hampstead, I will go to her now." "But I shall hear from you." "You shall come to me again, and I will tell you." "To-morrow?" "Nay; but give me a day or two. On Friday I will be ready with my answer."