It was on the first of August that Joseph proposed quite suddenly, having screwed up his courage for days. Mindful of Aaron's advice, he had tried to induce Theo to accompany him to some romantic spot. But by tacit consent they both avoided the garden, and his invention was low in the evening, so that his moment came in the full glare of noonday sun, outside the stables where they had dismounted.

Theo, frankly hungry, was making for the springhouse to get A glass of chilled milk, when he checked her by a clutch at her silk-covered arm.

She turned in surprise.

His face was red from heat and the exertion of their ride. His clustering dark curls clung damply to his forehead.

'Miss Burr—Theo, I have something to say to you,' he panted.

'Won't it keep until we get to the house?' she asked, amused.

'No!' he shouted, in a burst of desperation. 'You must listen to me now.'

'Softly—the servants,' she laughed, but she had a foreboding.

He propelled her down the path around the comer of the dairy away from the stable-boy's curiosity.

'Theodosia, I have a most tender regard for you; will you do me the honor to become my wife?' He spoke very fast in one breath.

She stifled an inclination to laugh, thinking that he sounded as though he had memorized the speech for days—as indeed he had.

'You arc very kind, Mr. Alston, and I am very grateful for the honor you do me,' she answered in the approved formula, 'but I have no intention of marrying. Now,' she smiled, dropping to her ordinary voice, 'let's go to the house.'

He was nonplused for a second. 'Go to the house?'

'Yes; I wish to change my habit. Then I will direct Alexis to make you some rum punch; it will be cooling,' she added, knowing how fond he was of this concoction.

'But you haven't answered me. I wish to marry you.'

'I did answer you. I appreciate the honor very deeply, but I have no intention of marrying.'

He frowned. 'You know very well that that is nonsense. We are virtually an affianced couple. Everyone treats us as such. I had not spoken before because your father said I must give you time.'

She jerked around, looking him full in the eyes. 'My father!' she exclaimed. 'You have spoken to my father?'

'Of course. The day I arrived here. He gave me full permission to ask for your hand. Nay, more, he said that my suit was most agreeable to him.'

'I don't believe it!' Her voice was high with anger and sudden fear.

Bewildered, he reached for her hand. She snatched it from him, stumbled down the path and into the house.