"Oh no, not at all," William answered, a little uneasily. "I was thinking that it was a little bit unusual."
"And to take you along and say, 'My cousin is very anxious to know you,' would be to let the cat out of the bag at the start."
"Don't you think so, now? There must be a reason for everything. And the very first question Miss Penlogan would ask herself would be, 'Why does this young man want to know me?'"
"Well, I don't know that that would matter. Indeed, it might help me along."
"But when you got to know her better you might not care for her quite so much."
"Well, no. The chances are the other way about. Only there is no accounting for people, you know."
"I don't think I am fickle," Sam answered seriously.
"Still, so far it is only a pretty face that has attracted you."
"Oh no, it is more than that. It is the character behind the face. I am sure she is good. She appeals to me as no other woman has ever done. I am not afraid of not loving her. It is the other thing that troubles me."
"She could not do so at the start. You see I have been dreaming of her for the last two years. She has filled my imagination, if you understand. I have been worshipping her all the time. But on her side there is nothing. She does not know, very likely, there is such an individual in existence. I am not even a name to her. Hence, there is a tremendous amount of leeway to make up."
"Still, you have many things in your favour," William answered, a little plaintively. "First of all, you are young"--and William sighed unconsciously--"then you are well-to-do; and then--and then--you are good-looking"--and William sighed again--"and then your house is ready, and you have no encumbrances. Yes, you have many things in your favour."
"I'm glad you think so," Sam said cheerfully, "for, to tell you the truth, I'm awfully afraid she won't look at me."
William sighed again, for his fear was in the other direction. And yet he felt he ought not to be selfish. To play the part of the dog in the manger was a very unworthy thing to do. He had no hope of winning Ruth for himself. That Sam Tremail loved her a hundredth part as much as he did, he did not believe possible. How could he? But then, on the other hand, Sam was just the sort of fellow to take a girl's fancy.
