"But I have no wealth to endow you with," said Grace, looking at him earnestly, "only a very few hundreds a year." She watched him a little anxiously, but his face showed it did not matter. "I am poor enough," he said, "but you shall never want anything if you will only give me the right of taking care of you. I have succeeded in getting an appointment in Italy. I am sure that climate will suit you; the doctors said so." "And you got the appointment without knowing that I would say yes," exclaimed Grace, a good deal in her old manner. "If you say no, all places will be alike to me." "Oh, Paul! shall I tell you something? I do love you, but I have a great deal to say to you before I say yes or no." "Say anything now, and put me out of suspense." "I believe I shall live; I am not very strong; but I am stronger than people think; and Paul, if I do say yes--if I am your wife--I am afraid you will have a very sorry bargain. I am not a very amiable girl, and I am capricious. Do you know what I am afraid of? I am always so afraid of getting tired of my husband." "Grace, please don't talk like this. I also have many faults; you do not think I am perfect, do you? We must make allowances for each other." "I certainly do not think you perfect," said Grace, laughing a little, "but I do think you should reflect. Just think, Paul: a delicate wife, full of whims, not very attractive." "Grace, you will drive me crazy if you go on in this way. I love you, dear, with all your whims, and all else, and you will get strong and well in Italy. Say plainly, and at once, that you will marry me." "Well then, plainly and at once, I will, Paul. I am not quite sure that the reason I care for you is not that you are the only man who has ever wished to marry me, but I will only marry you on one condition." "On any condition, darling." "I want to be married at once. I have heaps of new clothes; and I do not want to go to Scotland and confront old Sandford without some one to fight my battles." Paul was surprised to find his mother pleased about his marriage. "I was afraid you wanted me to marry a rich wife," he said, his satisfaction unbounded at the evident pleasure with which she received his news. "I did, Paul, yes; but Grace has something." "Not much I am afraid--but I have this appointment, mother, and we shall get on all right." "I suppose it is not much; did she tell you what it was?" "A few hundreds." "A year. She has six or seven hundred a year." "Oh!" said Paul, "I am glad, mother, of course. I am also glad I did not know anything about it." "Would it have made a difference?" "I cannot say," he answered. CHAPTER VIII.