We have been
so happy the last year!"--
"O Dora!" interposed the young man in a voice of agony, "never say
you are going to refuse me! Happy! yes, I have been happy, because I
have looked forward to this day, and thought it might be the
beginning of a life to which this has been but the gray dawn before
the sunrise. You have been so kind to me, so frank and affectionate!
and all the time you knew-oh! you must have known-what was in my
heart. Yes; and, if it had not been for this meddling parson's
visit"--
"Hush, Karl!" interrupted Dora decisively. "I will not have you
unjust or ungenerous to a man far nobler and purer and wiser than
either you or I. Mr. Brown's visit has nothing to do with what I say
to-day; nor did I know, as you think I did, that you would again ask
me the question you asked a year ago. I only remembered it, when,
last week, you reminded me of the date; and I only let you speak
to-day, because it is better for us both to say out all that is in
our hearts, and then to let the matter rest."
She, paused a moment, and recommenced in a lower and more tender
voice:--
"I am so sorry, Karl, to give you pain! If the only trouble was that
I don't want to marry you, I wouldn't mind saying no; for I love you
very much: only I don't believe it is the way girls commonly love
the men they marry.
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