This was not at all what Maddy meant to say, but the words were born
of her extreme truthfulness, and the doctor thus learned the nature of
the struggle which he saw plainly was going on.
"No, Maddy, I would not have you say yes unless your heart was in it,"
he answered, while he tried to smile upon the tearful face looking up
so sorrowfully at him.
But the smile was a forlorn one, and there came instead a tear as he
thought how dear was the fair creature who never would be his. Maddy
saw the tear, and as if she were a child wiped it from his cheek;
then, in tones which never faltered, she told him it might be in time
she'd learn to love him. She would try so hard, she'd think of him
always as her promised husband, and by that means should learn at last
not to shrink from taking him for such. It might be ever so long, and
perhaps she should be twenty or more, but some time in the future she
should feel differently. Was he satisfied, and would he wait?
Her little hand was resting on his shoulder, but he did not mind its
soft pressure or know that it was there, so strong was the temptation
to accept that half-made promise. But the doctor was too noble, to
unselfish to bind Maddy to himself unless she were wholly willing, and
he said to her that if she did not love him now she probably never
would. She could not make a love. She need not try, as it would only
result in her own unhappiness. They would be friends just as they
always had been, and none need know of what had passed between them,
none but Guy. "I must tell him" the doctor said, "because he knows
that I was going to ask you."
Maddy could not explain why it was that she felt glad the doctor would
tell Guy. She did not analyze any of her feelings, or stop to ask why
she should care to have Guy Remington know the answer she had given
Dr. Holbrook. He was going to him now, she was sure, for he arose to
leave her, saying he might not see her again before she returned to
New York. She did not mention his bill. That was among the bygones, a
thing never again to be talked about, and offering him her hand, she
looked for an instant earnestly into his face, then without a word,
hurried from the room, while the doctor, with a sad, heavy heart, went
in quest of Guy.