But that afternoon he was not disposed to be critical. He was really glad to see her. It was some time since they had met; he was nearly surprised to find what a jolly girl she was; her smile was unusually tender. As they quitted the monkey-house she spoke of Tom and Mary.
"Did Tom tell you that he has nearly brought that hard-hearted Mary of his to the promising point?"
"He did seem to be sanguine."
"Poor old Tom! I believe if she'd promise quite he'd pass straight off; it's anxiety which causes him to be ploughed. I've written to Mary telling her just what I think, and informing her that she's to keep him no longer suspended between heaven and earth, but that she's to marry him at once. Mamma wants it, papa wants it, I want it, Tom wants it--everybody wants it. She's the dearest girl in the world; but she's a goose."
"Because she hesitates?"
"Why should she? Tom will make her the best husband in the world--you know he will."
"Perhaps every girl doesn't want 'the best husband in the world.'"
"Are you trying to say something clever? If she has a husband, of course she does. Do look at those two in front; I've been watching them. She keeps putting out her hand to feel for his, or he puts out his to feel for hers. Do you think they're newly married?"
"Is that how you mean to behave when you're newly married?"
"It depends."
"On what?"
"Oh, it depends."
"You said that before. On what does it depend?"
Suddenly a glimpse he caught of the smile which lighted up her face started him off at a tangent--without waiting for her answer.
"It seems ages since I saw you last; it's awfully nice to see you again--especially as you're looking prettier than ever."
"Do you like this frock that I've got on? You ought to, I had it made specially for you--you are so critical about my clothes."
"Oughtn't a man to be critical about the girl he--he cares for?"
"Do you care for me?"
"You know I do."
"How much?"
"More than I--dare tell you."
"Rodney."
"Stella."
"I hope one day, before very long, you'll find courage enough."
The challenge was a direct one. In such matters he was such a creature of impulse that it set his pulses galloping. They had reached a spot where they had for sole society some queer-looking birds who peered at them through the wires which confined them to their runs.
"Stella, you mustn't tempt me. If you only knew what I'd give to be able to take you in my arms."
"Rodney, it isn't fair of you to talk like that. You say that sort of thing, and make me feel as if the world were whirling round and round, and then you go no farther."
"You know why I go no farther."
"I don't! I don't!"
As she turned and looked at him he saw how her cheeks were flushed; that tears were in her pretty eyes; how her lips were twisted as by physical pain. He really was so fond of her that the sight of her suffering moved him almost beyond endurance. Careless of spectators who might come at any moment to look at the birds, he took both her hands in his.
"Stella!"
He paused; he was conscious how pregnant with meaning the pause was to her, how she waited for his words. He let them come.
"Stella, will you be my wife?"
"You know I will! How long have you known it, sir? How long have you been aware that you had only to ask to have? I go all over shame when I think of it. I don't--I really don't--think you've used me quite fairly, sir. Because, you know, you oughtn't to keep on telling a girl that you care for her, and--then say nothing more. I've even sometimes wondered if you were playing with me--I have! Were you?"
"Never. How could you think it?"
"I had to think something, hadn't I? And--what could I think? Then you do really and truly care for me?"
"With the whole force of my being."
She drew a long breath, as if it were a sigh of pleasure.
"And you really and truly want me to be your wife?"
"As Tom said of Mary--if I get you I get all that I want in the world."
"Then, why didn't you try to get me before?"
"Stella, every man has his own standard. You have money; perhaps one day you'll have more; I have no money; perhaps I never may have. Under those circumstances, though I worshipped the ground you stood on, I had, and have, no right to ask you to be my wife. I have held out against the temptation to do so over and over again, but--I could hold out no longer. You must forgive me."
"For what? For having what you call 'held out'? I am not sure that I do. You can't have wanted me so very, very much, or you wouldn't have held out so long. That's what I feel."
"Stella, if you only knew!"
"And if you only knew!"
"The days I've thought of you, and the nights I've dreamed!"
"And do you suppose that I can't think--and dream?"
"Sometimes, after I've left you with the words unuttered, and thought of what I should feel if I had you in my arms, it was pretty hard to bear."
"Rodney!--I wonder if anyone is coming? After all your holding out, you have--chosen a funny place."
Heedless of anyone coming, he put his arm about her waist and drew her quickly to the comparative shelter of a fairly grown tree.