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"You ht really be in love?" I asked curiously

"I do not know Do you think so?"

I laughed gaily, bending to search her eyes

"What is love, Elsin? Truly, I do not know, having never loved, as you mean Sir Peter wishes it; and here we are, with all the credit of Gretna Green but none of the happiness Elsin, listen to me Let us strive to fall in love; shall we? And the devil take your new gallant!"

"If you desire it----"

"Why not? It would please all, would it not?"

"But, Carus, we must first please one another----"

"Let us try, Elsin I have dreamed of a woman--not like you, but statelier, more mature, and of more experience, but I never saw such a wo a ht teach one another to love--if you are not too young----"

"I do not think I am," she said faintly

"Then let us try Who knows but you row into that ideal I cherish? I shall attend you constantly, pay court to you, take counsel with you, defer to you in all things----"

"But I shall be gone northith the flag, Carus"

"A flag may not start for a week"