Gratia's Trials — page 131: what you’re looking at

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122 bie GRATIA’S TRIALS. ~ : me. Iam now quite at liberty to hear it ; and it is more Mr. Parley’s fault than mine that I have not been released before.” Gratia’s heart sank within her as she followed Mr, Miller into theMibrary. He wheeled forward a chair, and beckoned to Gratia to seat herself. Mechanically she obeyed. ‘‘ Well, my darling,” he said, after a pause of a moment or two, ‘‘ what is it that you wanted to tell me?” . ‘«That I cannot become your wife, Mr. Miller.” ‘* Gratia |” ‘‘T am quite in earnest, sir The fetters of her tongue were unloosed at last ; the invisible bondage that had seemed to weigh her down had melted away. She rose to her feet, and confronted him with the quiet dignity of one who knew her own mind, and was resolved to speak it. ‘But, Gratia, you accepted me before !” ‘‘T know it, sir; but since that time I have better compre- hended my own heart. Iwas bewildered then, and taken by storm ; I scarcely knew the solemn import of what I-was say- ing. Since then the scales have fallen from my eyes, and I see, fully, that I should be wronging both you and myself, were I to marry you. ” A look of exquisite pain swept across his features. ‘‘ Dear Gratia,” he said, gently, ‘‘you will yet see good rea- son tochange your mind in my favor. I shall not take you at your word until you have had an opportunity of reconsidering 17? the whole question. I know that in the world’s eye our mar- — riage will seem unsuitable, but are we to abide by the world’s decision or our own? I know that Iam no longera young man, but my heart is fresh, still, Gratia. Do not dash down my hopes so inexorably. ‘Take at least another night to think of it.” i She shook her head. **JTt would be quite useless, Mr. Miller, believe me,” ‘*Gratia, will you answer me one question?” | ‘AS many as you choose to ask,” she answered, frankly. Eomicbooks.co