“Oh, there was no difficulty about that! I can always get a day off when I want it. Yes, I went back to work and have been busy ever since. I came here yesterday in the hope of seeing you. It was very important--for me, at least.” “Has the desired promotion come so soon, then, or do you think I must speak to my father about your position when I next see him? I expected him here before this, but he writes that there is so much to be done, now the men are back, that he will be unable to come for perhaps a week or more.” “I have not come here to beg for your father’s favour, but for yours. I love you, Edna, and I have loved you ever since I first saw you! Don’t imagine I am so--so conceited--that I have even a hope that you--you--care for me, for of course you don’t and can’t; but I wanted you to know. I wanted to tell you, and that is why I am here. I am poor,--I don’t deny that,--but your father was also poor once, and he has got on in the world. I will get on; I will work night and day. Whoever my master is, I will serve him faithfully,--my God! I will serve him on my knees, if that will convince him of my earnestness to win confidence and a place of trust,--and all the time cheerfully and hopefully, with your picture in my mind, as it has been in my mind--for so long--from the first. You see, I have no chance to win you as another might. You are in this school for the very purpose of keeping me from meeting you as I might meet you if I were rich. I have no fair chance--none at all, except what I steal for myself, as I have done to-day. It means so much to me--everything!--that I did not dare to take the risk. I know I have spoken too soon--too abruptly--but I dared not set my face at what is before me unless you knew. Some one might win you while I was working for you--there will be plenty to try. I don’t want you to say a word--I want neither hope nor discouragement--no promise--nothing! You know, and that is enough for me now. But I would like you to remember--sometimes--that there is no man striving as I shall strive. Think of that--when others speak. My darling--my darling--no man ever felt as I feel since the beginning of the world!” Whatever diffidence Marsten hitherto experienced in Edna’s presence melted in the fervent heat of his passion when he began to speak. The words rushed forth, treading on the heels of those gone before, in jumbled, breathless procession; his face was aflame, and his nether lip trembled when he ceased to speak. At first he seemed to be running a race against time--they might be interrupted at any moment; but he soon forgot his competitor, and, so far as he was concerned, no one existed in the world but himself and the trembling, confused girl before him.