Page:The Father Confessor, Stories of Danger and Death.djvu/243

Rh "You know I love you," he continued; "I know you cannot make up your mind to love me, but I am weary of waiting, and so you must speak now. There is trouble in our house, things are going badly between my brother and me on account of you. When we are married that will end. What have you to say."

But the girl had nothing to answer, and only sat silent. Ernest felt her hand quiver in his like a bird longing to fly.

"I shall decide for you," he said. "You will marry me. I was going to speak to your father about it. We shall be married in a week."

The girl half rose, but he pulled her down again.

"If I thought you really did not care, I should go away at once and leave you," Ernest continued; "but you do care."

The girl dropped her head.

"I do not know."

He suddenly folded his arms about her, and kissed her passionately.

"But you do care," he whispered. "Say you do not love me now!"