I wrote only today to my sister to tell her to come up next
month to our wedding, and I've been as affectionate and happy as possible.
Come--what's the matter?"
He put his arm half round her shoulder, very loosely.
"I think it would be better," she answered, slowly.
"Oh, well," he said, drawing himself up, "if you won't enter into
explanations you won't; and I'm not the man to beg and pray--not to any
woman, and you know that! If you don't want to marry me I can't oblige you
to, of course."
She stood quite still before him.
"You women never do know your own minds for two days together; and of
course you know the state of your own feelings best; but it's very strange.
Have you really made up your mind, Em?"
"Yes."
"Well, I'm very sorry. I'm sure I've not been in anything to blame. A man
can't always be billing and cooing; but, as you say, if your feeling for me
has changed, it's much better you shouldn't marry me. There's nothing so
foolish as to marry some one you don't love; and I only wish for your
happiness, I'm sure. I daresay you'll find some one can make you much
happier than I could; the first person we love is seldom the right one.
You are very young; it's quite natural you should change."
She said nothing.
"Things often seem hard at the time, but Providence makes them turn out for
the best in the end," said Gregory.
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