quarter bale of silk; except, of course, what
is under contract now; and, if you should tell me that you can not care
about me--"

"Hush! I am almost sure that I hear footsteps. Listen, just a moment."

"No, I will not listen to any one in the world but you. I beg you not to
try to put me off. Think of the winter, and the long time coming; say
if you will think of me. I must allow that I am not, like you, of a
respectable old family. The Lord alone knows where I came from, or where
I may go to. My business is a random and up-and-down one, but no one can
call it disreputable; and if you went against it, I would throw it up.
There are plenty of trades that I can turn my hand to; and I will turn
it to anything you please, if you will only put yours inside it. Mary,
only let me have your hand; and you need not say anything unless you
like."

"But I always do like to say something, when things are brought before
me so. I have to consider my father, and my mother, and others belonging
to me. It is not as if I were all alone, and could do exactly as I
pleased. My father bears an ill-will toward free trade; and my mother
has made bad bargains, when she felt sure of very good ones."

"I know that there are rogues about," Robin answered, with a judicial
frown; "but foul play never should hurt fair play; and we haul
them through the water when we catch them. Your father is terribly
particular, I know, and that is the worst thing there can be; but I do
not care a groat for all objections, Mary, unless the objection begins
with you. I am sure by your eyes, and your pretty lips and forehead,
that you are not the one to change. If once any lucky fellow wins your
heart, he will have it--unless he is a fool--forever. I can do most
things, but not that, or you never would be thinking about the other
people. What would anybody be to me in comparison with you, if I only
had the chance? I would kick them all to Jericho. Can you see it in that
way? can you get hot every time you think of me?"

"Really," said Mary, looking very gently at him, because of his serious
excitement, "you are very good, and very brave, and have done wonders
for me; but why should I get hot?"

"No, I suppose it is not to be expected. When I am in great peril I grow
hot, and tingle, and am alive all over. Men of a loftier courage grow
cold; it depends upon the constitution; but I enjoy it more than they
do, and I can see things ten times quicker. Oh, how I wish