'Has he asked you to marry him?'
Hetta paused a moment, considering, before she answered this question. 'I do not think he ever has.'
'You do not think?'
'I was going on to explain. He never has asked me. But he has said that which makes me know that he wishes me to be his wife.'
'What has he said? When did he say it?'
Again she paused. But again she answered with straightforward simplicity. 'Just before you came in, he said--; I don't know what he said; but it meant that.'
'You told me he had been here but a minute.'
'It was but very little more. If you take me at my word in that way, of course you can make me out to be wrong, mamma. It was almost no time, and yet he said it.'
'He had come prepared to say it.'
'How could he,--expecting to find you?'
'Psha! He expected nothing of the kind.'
'I think you do him wrong, mamma. I am sure you are doing me wrong. I think his coming was an accident, and that what he said was--an accident.'
'An accident!'
'It was not intended,--not then, mamma. I have known it ever so long;-- and so have you. It was natural that he should say so when we were alone together.'
'And you;--what did you say?'
'Nothing. You came.'
'I am sorry that my coming should have been so inopportune. But I must ask one other question, Hetta. What do you intend to say?' Hetta was again silent, and now for a longer space. She put her hand up to her brow and pushed back her hair as she thought whether her mother had a right to continue this cross-examination. She had told her mother everything as it had happened. She had kept back no deed done, no word spoken, either now or at any time. But she was not sure that her mother had a right to know her thoughts, feeling as she did that she had so little sympathy from her mother. 'How do you intend to answer him?' demanded Lady Carbury.
'I do not know that he will ask again.'
'That is prevaricating.'
'No, mamma;--I do not prevaricate. It is unfair to say that to me. I do love him. There. I think it ought to have been enough for you to know that I should never give him encouragement without telling you about it. I do love him, and I shall never love any one else.'