Maggie trembled. It was ridiculous to think of such a thing. Surely he did not mean to drown her if she refused to promise. Charlie was going to London in a few days; he would be away for three or four months. Heaven only knows what would happen in that time. She didn't see what right Frank had to bully her--to extort promises from her by night on the edge of a dangerous lock. But a promise wasn't much, and a promise given in such circumstances was not a promise at all. “If you are really in earnest--if you think it is for my good, I'll promise you not to see him again.” “O Maggie, if you only knew what a load of trouble you have taken off my mind! Thank you--give me your hand, and let me thank you. I know I am right. And now, tell me, can you love me? Will you marry me?” “I will promise nothing more to-night; we shall see how you behave yourself,” the girl replied winningly. “And now go on, sir, we have been here quite long enough.” He crossed the gate mechanically, she followed eagerly, and when she reached the other side her heart beat with pride at her pretty triumph. Now I'll twit him, she thought, as they ascended the shore and entered the town. “I wonder why you think Charlie so wicked; I think if you knew him you would change your opinion.” “I am very thankful indeed that I do not know him.” The conversation dropped, but a moment after he gave her the chance she wanted. “Mind you have promised me not to see him again. I trust you.” “But suppose he calls and if I should be in the drawing-room, I cannot walk out of the room without speaking to him.” “I think you had better write and say you do not wish to see him.” “I couldn't do that; we have known him a long time, and father has always said that we must be rude to no one. Besides, what reason could I give?” “You need not give a reason. But let that pass. I can't see why you should meet; you can surely tell your servant to say 'Not at home,' when he calls.” “I might be in the garden--Sally would not allow it. If John said 'Not at home,' she would run down and let him in.” “I see you are raising difficulties--I see you do not intend to keep your promise.” “You have been quite rude enough for one evening. You have kept me out on the beach by force till nearly ten o'clock at night, and you said that my life at the Manor House was not a pure one--I don't know what you mean. No man ever spoke to me like that before.” “You misunderstood me. If you knew how I loved you, you would not twit me with my own words. Heaven knows I would sooner go back and drown myself in the lock than do anything or say anything that would offend you. Remember also that I asked you to be my wife.” “You are not the first. I daresay it may appear strange to you, but others have asked me the same question before.” “It does not seem strange to me, it only seems strange to me that every one doesn't love you, but I daresay they do. O Maggie, remember that you gave me hope, you said that you might--”