One failure is
nothing to an aunt. She is always quite certain that the next
venture will turn out well. And it usually does. In brief, I am
thirty-five and I go in terror of the unknown. If I do not marry
soon to please myself, I shall end by marrying to please someone
else. Do you follow me?"
"Make it plainer," ordered Desire soberly. "Make it absolutely
plain."
"I will. My proposition is, in its truest and strictest sense, a
marriage of convenience. Marriage, it appears, can give us both what
we want, a formal ceremony will legalize your position as my
secretary and free you entirely from the interference of your
father. It will permit you to accept freely my protection and
everything else which I have. Your way will be open to the things
you spoke of the other night, freedom, leisure, money, travel,
books. The only thing we are shutting out is the thing you say you
have no use for--love. But perhaps you did not mean--"
"I did."
"Then, logically, my proposal is sound."
"Am I to take all these things, and give nothing?"
"Not at all. You give me the things I want most, freedom, security,
the grace of companionship, and collaboration in my work, so long as
your interest in it continues. I will be a safely married man and
you--you will be a window-gazer no longer. There is only one point"-
-the speaker's gaze turned from her and wandered out to sea--"I can
be sure of what I can bring into your life," his voice was almost
stern, "but I warn you to be very sure of what you will be shutting
out.
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