"Well, Miss Goodwin," said he, when they were left together, "this I
understand, and what is more, I fear, is to be my day of doom. Heaven
grant that it may be a favorable one, for I am badly prepared to see my
hopes blasted, and my affection for you spurned! My happiness, my dear
Miss Goodwin--my happiness for life depends upon the result of this
interview. I know--but I should not say so--for in this instance I must
be guided by hearsay--well, I know from hearsay that your heart is kind
and affectionate. Now I believe this; for who can look upon your face
and doubt it? Believing this, then, how can you, when you know that
the happiness of a man who loves you beyond the power of language to
express, is at stake, depends upon your will--how can you, I say, refuse
to make that individual--who appreciated all your virtues, as I
do--who feels the influence of your extraordinary beauty, as I do--who
contemplates your future happiness as the great object of his life, as I
do--how can you, I say, refuse to make that man happy?"
"Mr. Woodward," she said, "I will not reply to your arguments; I
simply wish to ask you, Are you a gentleman?--in other words, a man of
integrity and principle?"
"Do you doubt me, Miss Goodwin?" he inquired, as if he felt somewhat
hurt.
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