Man and Maid

"Will you sit down, please," I said, indicating a chair, where she would

face me and the light, so that no shade of her expression should be lost

upon me. (I shall become quite an expert in reading mouths. I am obliged

to study hers so closely!) I felt less nervous than I have ever felt when with her. I thought there

was the faintest shade of alertness in her manner.

"I am going to say something which will surprise you very much, Miss

Sharp," I began.

She raised her head a little.

"I will put the case to you quite baldly--I am very rich as you know--I

am still horrid to look at--I am lonely and I want a companion who would

play the piano to me, and who would help me to write books, and who

would travel with me. I cannot have any of these simple things because

of the scandal people would make--so there is only one course open to

me--that is to go through the marriage ceremony--Miss Sharp--under those

terms will you marry me?"

Her attitude had become tense--her face did not flush, it became very

pale. She remained perfectly silent for a moment. I felt just the same

as I used to do before going over the top--a queer kind of excitement--a

wonder if I'd come through or not.

As she did not answer I went on. "I would not expect anything from you

except a certain amount of your company. There would not be any question

of living with me as a wife--I would promise even to keep in check that

side which you once saw and which I was so sorry about. I would settle

lots of money on you, and give anything to your family you might wish. I

would not bother you, you would be quite free--only I would like you to

take interest in my work in a way--and to play to me--even if you would

not talk to me."

My voice broke a little at the end of this; I was conscious of it, and

of how weak it was of me. Her hands clasped together suddenly--and she

appeared as though she was going to speak, then remained silent.

"Won't you answer me at all?" I pleaded.

"It is such a strange proposal--I would wish to refuse it at once----"

"It is quite bald, I know," I interrupted quickly. "I want to buy

you--that is all--you can name the price. I know if you consented it

would merely be for the same reason which makes you work. I presume it

is for your family, not for yourself; therefore, I am counting upon that

to influence you. Whatever you would want for your family I should be

delighted to give you."