But I 'm not going to coax you to marry me , sir ! If you wo n't , I 'll never marry anybody -- I 'll live and die an old maid . You can please yourself , of course ! '' She turned away , half-laughing , half-crying ; but I caught her in my arms and crushed her sweet lips against mine . `` Betty , I 'm the happiest man in the world -- and I was the most miserable when I came here . '' `` You deserved to be , '' said Betty cruelly . `` I 'm glad you were . Any man as stupid as you deserves to be unhappy . What do you think I felt like , loving you with all my heart , and seeing you simply throwing me at another man 's head . Why , I 've always loved you , Stephen ; but I did n't know it until I went to that detestable school . Then I found out -- and I thought that was why you had sent me . But , when I came home , you almost broke my heart . That was why I flirted so with all those poor , nice boys -- I wanted to hurt you but I never thought I succeeded . You just went on being FATHERLY . Then , when you brought Frank here , I almost gave up hope ; and I tried to make up my mind to marry him ; I should have done it if you had insisted . But I had to have one more try for happiness first . I had just one little hope to inspire me with sufficient boldness . I saw you , that night , when you came back here and picked up my rose ! I had come back , myself , to be alone and unhappy . '' `` It is the most wonderful thing that ever happened -- that you should love me , '' I said .
`` It 's not -- I could n't help it , '' said XXXXX , nestling her brown head on my shoulder .
Betty Frank Stephen anybody arms first half-crying half-laughing mind night