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“Yes.”

“You’re the first woman I’ve ever asked to be my wife.”

“I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this distinction,” she remarked dryly.

He came towards her again.

“We won’t discuss the distinction of it—but at least from a common-sense point of view it’s worth thinking about. Kopu is one of the best stations on the coast, and it isn’t mottgaged like most of them.”

She looked at him steadily.

“Do you really want me to look at it from the standpoint of common sense? To marry you for your money?”

“I want you to marry me for whatever reason you choose. I’ll make you love me afterwards.”

She shook her head.

“No. It’s no use talking. I can’t.”

“That's final?”

“Quite final.”

“Very well. Tomorrow I’m leaving for Wairiri, and going on to Australia. But that doesn’t mean that I’m giving up hope. I shall be away for three months. But they’ll forward letters from Kopu, and if you change your mind and decide to be . . . kind to me, you’ve only to write, and I’ll come back.. . .”

A movement at the inner door checked him. Vera Holmes stood there, her eyes burning in a strained, pale face. How much had she heard, Ann wondered? Not more than a few words, for the door had been closed up to a second or two ago. But the mere fact of Gerald being here alone with the governess was sufficient to infuriate Vera in her present mood. When