hen he tapped--she had come to know
the sound.

"Father's gone out," she said.

"I saw him. I am glad; I want a few words with you alone," he replied.
"I am going away for a time on business and I want you to go with me.
I shall be lost without you."

"I cannot go away with you; you know that," she answered.

"Oh, yes, you can--as my wife?" he said. So he did wish to marry her.
She was gratified. She had thought of late such was not his intention.

"You'll marry me?" she asked.

"That's what I've come for to-night, to ask you to be my wife."

She was silent. It was an important step to take. She liked him, but
she was not sure she loved him, and she was a little afraid of him.
She had caught glimpses of the brute in him once or twice; it revolted
her.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"To the sea. We can spend our honeymoon there."

"Where?"

"I cannot tell you until we are on the way. I want nobody round here
to know my whereabouts," he said.

"And you wish me to go with you as your wife?"

"Yes."

"When do you start?"

"In a week or so."

"Then I will give you my answer in a day or two," she said quietly.

He remained late, trying to persuade her to say she would be his wife.
He had to leave without being satisfied, and he was annoyed.

CHAPTER XVIII

TOM'S WEAKNESS

"Then he's come to the scratch! I thought he would. You're a clever
lass, Jane," said her father.

"Nothing clever about it. I haven't given him much encouragement," she
said.

"What are you going to do?"

"That's for you to decide."

"It concerns you more than me. Do you love him?"

"I'm not sure."

"Eh! Not sure--you've had time enough."

"He's difficult to understand," said Jane.

"In what way?" asked Tom.

"I can hardly say; it's hard to explain. He seems fond of me; he might
make a good husband."

"What's amiss with him?"

"Oh, nothing; but sometimes he frightens me," she said.

"Good Lord, how?" exclaimed Tom.

"He's fierce at times--he's terribly determined even when he's making
love."

"That proves he's in earnest."

"Perhaps so; it shows he wants me, anyhow."

"That's in his favor. He's offered marriage, so he means right by you."

"It's his only chance," she replied.

Tom thought there was a good deal of common-sense in her; he put it
down to his credit that he had brought her up well, opened her eyes.

"He must have money. Perhaps I'd better have a talk with him."