She almost
thought;--but yet, when her hand was on the lock, she could not
bring herself to say that it should be so.
He was not dressed as usual. In the first place, there was a round hat
on the table, such as men wear in cities. She had never before seen
such a hat with him except on a Sunday. And he wore a black cloth coat,
and dark brown pantaloons, and a black silk handkerchief. She observed
it all, and thought that he had not changed for the better. As she
looked into his face, it seemed to her more common,--meaner than
before. No doubt he was good-looking,--but his good-looks were almost
repulsive to her. He had altogether lost his little swagger;--but he
had borne that little swagger well, and in her presence it had never
been offensive. Now he seemed as though he had thrown aside all the old
habits of his life, and was pining to death from the loss of them.
"Mary," he said, "I have come to you,--for the last time. I thought I
would give myself one more chance, and your father told me that I might
have it" He paused, as though expecting an answer. But she had not yet
quite made up her mind. Had she known her mind, she would have answered
him frankly. She was quite resolved as to that. If she could once bring
herself to give him her hand, she would not coy it for a moment. "I
will be your wife, Larry.
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