Page:An American Girl in India.djvu/290

 her life. In fact, it's after a crisis like the one I had just passed through that she has to think about it most of all. There is nothing so hair-ruffling as a proposal that's accepted. 'I couldn't wait till you came home,' he said. 'That was sweet of you,' I murmured from somewhere about the lapels of his coat. He seemed to think it necessary to hug me and kiss me after everything I said. It was very nice. 'And I'm not going to let you go again.' It was delightful to hear the note of mastery and determination in his voice. Especially as I had no desire to be let go again.

'I came out on purpose to take you home.' I was much relieved. I had been so horribly afraid that he might suggest a nasty quiet little wedding out there. That wouldn't have suited me at all. One doesn't get the chance of marrying the heir to a Dukedom every day. When one does one likes to do it where all the other women can look on and envy you. Marrying a Duke on the quiet would be like hoarding up coin of the realm on a desert island—quite without satisfaction. Fortunately Lord Hendley did not propose that. I guess if he had I should have just had to give in. After all it's better to marry a Duke on the quiet than not to marry him at all. You mustn't think all this very calculating. It's just the way I'm built. I'm very practically minded, and although I was desperately in love I couldn't help common or garden everyday sort of things flitting about in the back of my mind behind the sentiment.