The new black velvet dress , with its train and V-neck , which she had made purposely for the party , became her stately , massive figure . She wore coiled around her neck the rich heavy necklace of amber beads which was a family heirloom . Her walk in the frosty air had stung her cheeks into a glowing scarlet . But her steel-blue eyes were as icy and unyielding as the sky of the winter night . She stood waiting in a silence which Rosemary could break only by a convulsive effort . `` Ellen , Mr. Meredith was here this evening . '' `` Yes ? '' `` And -- and -- he asked me to marry him . '' `` So I expected . Of course , you refused him ? '' `` No . '' `` Rosemary . '' Ellen clenched her hands and took an involuntary step forward . `` Do you mean to tell me that you accepted him ? '' `` No -- no . '' Ellen recovered her self-command . `` What DID you do then ? '' `` I -- I asked him to give me a few days to think it over . '' `` I hardly see why that was necessary , '' said Ellen , coldly contemptuous , `` when there is only the one answer you can make him . '' Rosemary held out her hands beseechingly .
`` Ellen , '' she said desperately , `` I love John Meredith -- I want XXXXX be his wife .
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