"You needn't be afraid to say it was hers," remarked Sylvia's uncle dryly. "She wants an absolutely free hand, which isn't good for her to have--she's only twenty-two now, pretty as a picture, and still absolutely inexperienced about many things. She can't bear the thought of dictation, and you're both young and self-willed and proud, and very much in love--which makes the whole thing harder, and not easier, as I suppose you imagine. Now, some women, even in these days, aren't fit to live with until--figuratively speaking--they've been beaten over the head with a club. Sylvia's not that kind. She's not only got to respect her husband's wishes, she's got to _want_ to--and I believe you can make her want to! I think you're absolutely just--and unusually decent. If I didn't I shouldn't dare say all this to you--or let you have her at all, if I could help it. And besides being fair, you know how to express yourself--which some poor fellows unfortunately can't do--they're absolutely tongue-tied. In fact, you're perfectly capable of taking things into your own hands every way, and making a success of it--and if you don't before you're married, neither of you can possibly hope to be happy afterwards." "There's one thing you're overlooking, Mr. Stevens, which I should have had to tell you to-night, anyway." "What is it?" "I'm not worthy of tying up Sylvia's shoes--much less of marrying her. I've been straight as a string since she came to the farm, but before that--any one in Hamstead would tell you. It was town talk. I can't, knowing that, act as I would if I--didn't have that to remember. It's all very well to say that a man--_gets through_ with all that, absolutely--I've heard them say it dozens of times! But how can he be sure he is through--that the old sins won't crop up again? I love Sylvia more than--than I can possibly talk about, and I'm _afraid_--afraid that I won't be worthy of her, and that if she gave in absolutely--that I'd abuse my position." Uncle Mat glanced up quietly from his cigar. There were tears in the boy's eyes, his voice trembled. The older man, for a moment, felt powerless to speak before the penitent sincerity of Austin's confession, the humility of his bared soul.