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 hands in her lap assuming an expression of bored patience.

"Go on," she said. "If you have any more absurd things to say, please say them and get through."

"They're not absurd," he answered gently. "Prue, I love you with all my heart and soul, dear, and I want you to marry me. Wait, please! I know the whole thing looks—funny, but try to forget that a minute. Just consider that here's a man who saw you by accident one evening and fell in love with you. He's not a bad sort of a chap. I mean that he isn't worse than the average man; has tried to live straight and clean. There's nothing against him on the score of birth and breeding, although his parlor tricks haven't been developed much. He has money enough to give you what you want and he will have a lot more. And he loves you—girl, you don't know how much! Now, dear, is it so absurd, after all?"

"I—I don't know what to say," murmured Prue, returning his look with a brief