Daybreak: A Romance of an Old World | Page 2

I have disappointed you and I will make what amends I can. Tell me the
nature of the change you have been looking for and I will begin the transformation at
once, before my character becomes fixed."
"Alas! and if it should be already fixed," she replied, without a smile. "Perhaps it is
unreasonable in me to expect it in you as a man, when you had so little of it as a boy; but
I used to think it was only shyness then, and always hoped you would outgrow that and
gradually become an ideal lover. You have such a multitude of other perfections,
however, that it may be nature has denied you this so that I may be reminded that you are
human. If the choice had been left with me I think I should have preferred to leave out
some other quality in the make-up of your character, good as they all are."
"What bitter pill is this," I asked, "that you are sugar-coating to such an extent? Don't you
see that I am aching to begin the improvement in my manners, as soon as you point out
the direction?"
"You must know what I mean from my first abrupt question," she answered. "To make an
extreme comparison, frozen mercury is warm beside you, Walter. If you are really to be
loyal knight of mine I must send you on a quest for your heart."
"Ah, I supposed it was understood that I had given it to you."
"I have never seen it," she continued, "and you have never before said as much as is
contained in those last words. Here we are, talking of many things we shall do after we
are married, and yet you have nothing to say of all that wonderful and beautiful world of
romance that ought to come before marriage. Is this voyage to come to an end and mean
no more to us than to these hundreds of passengers around us, who seem only intent to
get back to their work at the earliest possible moment? And is our wedding day to
approach and pass and be looked upon merely as part of the necessary and becoming
business of our lives? In short, am I never to hear a real love note?"
"Margaret, I have a sister. You know something of the depth of my affection for her.
When I meet her in New York to-morrow or next day, if I should throw my arms around
her neck and exclaim, in impassioned tones, 'My sister, I love you,' what would she think
of me?"
"She would think you had left your senses on the other side," replied Margaret, laughing.

"But I decline to accept the parallel. I have not given up my heart to your keeping these
many years to be only a sister to you at last."
"But my mother! Is it possible for me to love you more than my mother loved me? And
yet I never heard her speak one word on the subject, and, now that I think of it, I am not
sure but words would have cheapened her affection in my mind. You do not doubt me,
Margaret?"
"No more than you doubted your mother, although she never told her love. No, it is not
so serious as that; but I wish you were more demonstrative, Walter."
"What, in words? Isn't there something that speaks louder than words?"
"Yes, but let us hear the words, too. There is a beautiful proverb in India which says,
'Words are the daughters of earth and deeds are the sons of heaven.' That is true, but let
us not try to pass through life without enjoying the company of some of the 'daughters of
earth.'"
"I will confess this much, Margaret, that your words are one of your principal charms."
"Oh, do you really think so? I consider that a great compliment from you, for I have often
tried to repress myself, fearing that my impulsive and sometimes passionate speech
would offend your taste, you who are outwardly so cold. Do you know, I have a whole
vocabulary of endearing terms ready to be poured into your ears as soon as you begin to
give me encouragement?"
"Then teach me how to encourage you, and I will certainly begin at once. Shall we seek
some retired spot, where we can be free from observation, and then shall I seize your
hand, fall on my knees, and, in vehement and extravagant words, declare a passion which
you already know I have, just as well as you know I am breathing at this moment?"
"Good!" cried Margaret. "That's almost as fine as the real scene. So you have a passion
for me. I really think you are improving."
Before going on