She hesitated for so long, his expectation became intense; at last it was positively painful. “Well”--drawing a quick breath--“any way--not yet.”
“Ah, sure ye know I’m not fit,” she faltered, and her eyes were filled with tears. “Although I’m dressed up like this”--and she glanced at her dainty gown of white chiffon--“I’m only a common girl, and faix, no one knows that, better than yerself.”
“Once upon a time you were very fond of me, and I have never forgotten you. Mary, I believe you have been constant to that time.”
“In a way, only,” she said, rising suddenly, “I tried my big best to put you out of my mind, and I’ll tell ye no lie, but you would not stir--no, strive as I would, I could not get shut of ye, for three long years. Then I began to think ... I was a fool”--and she paused and put her hand to her long, slim throat--“and if any boy I fancied, had asked me to marry him, I’d have said ‘Yes’; but I never did see one I could like in the same way as you--no one that made my heart ache, and kept me pining and fretting, and wishing I was dead--the same as _you_ did, Mr. Ulick.”
“And I believe people will say it is tremendous presumption to lift my eyes to your father’s daughter. You know I’m only just a major in the service, and he will expect you to make a splendid match.”
“I don’t think he wishes me to marry at all--any way, for a long while. You see, he has only _had_ me for a few months.”
“Yes; it would be hard lines on him--and I will wait, if you will marry me in the end.--Mary, will you?”
“Ye were always terribly set in getting your own way, Mr. Ulick”; and she looked up at him with a tremulous smile. “I remember it with horses, and how once the black hunter stood with ye on the road for five mortal hours--and ye waited, and won the day.”
“I’ll wait on you for five years if necessary. May I speak to your father when he returns?”
“Why, about you, of course. I shall ask him to give you to me.”
“Yes; but not for a good while--I am so awkward, and ignorant, I’d shame ye.”
“No, never. I shall always be proud of you!”
“An’ ye may think it strange, but he is real fond of me.”
“Not as fond of you as I am, Mary”; and he slipped his arm round her waist, and kissed her--this time without the intervening pane of glass.