I regret to be
obliged to refuse such dignities, but--I belong to another," said
Capitola, rising and advancing toward her horse.
Craven would not risk his success by pushing his suit further at
this sitting.
Very respectfully lending his assistance to put Capitola into her
saddle, he said he hoped at some future and more propitious time to
resume the subject. And then, with a deep bow, he left her, mounted
his horse and rode on his way.
He did not believe that Capitola was more than half in earnest, or
that any girl in Capitola's circumstances would do such a mad thing
as to refuse the position he offered her.
He did not throw himself in her way often enough to excite her
suspicion that their meetings were preconcerted on his part, and
even when he did overtake her or suffer her to overtake him, he
avoided giving her offense by pressing his suit until another good
opportunity should offer. This was not long in coming.
One afternoon he overtook her and rode by her side for a short
distance when, finding her in unusually good spirits and temper, he
again renewed his declaration of love and offer of marriage.
Cap turned around in her saddle and looked at him with astonishment
for a full minute before she exclaimed: "Why, Mr. Le Noir, I gave
you an answer more than a week ago. Didn't I tell you 'No'? What on
earth do you mean by repeating the question?"
"I mean, bewitching Capitola, not to let such a treasure slip out of
my grasp if I can help it.
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