He hesitated, glancing at her, sidelong fashion. “Do you love me enough to run a risk?”
She answered resolutely: “Yes.”
“A great risk?”
“Yes.”
“The greatest of risks?”
“Yes.”
“Have you the courage to set your father and mother at defiance?”
“Yes.”
“Really now?”
“Yes.”
“Very well, there is one way and only one. The thing must come from you and not from me. You are a spoilt child; they let you say whatever you like, and they will not be too much astonished at an act of daring the more on your part. Listen, then. This evening, on reaching home, you must go to your mamma first, your mamma alone, and tell her you want to marry me. She will be greatly moved and very angry—”
Susan interrupted him with: “Oh, mamma will agree.”
He went on quickly: “No, you do not know her. She will be more vexed and angrier than your father. You will see how she will refuse. But you must be firm, you must not give way, you must repeat that you want to marry me, and no one else. Will you do this?”
“I will.”