Page:Authors daughter v1.djvu/193

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GEORGE COPELAND'S PROBATION.
189

very glad to be your husband, if you can love me well enough to be your wife. I think I can be trusted to be steady now, and with God's blessing, I'll do my very best to make you happy."

Jessie's large frame shook with the emotion which George's words and looks called forth. "My heart is yours now as it was then; at least I know of no change, except that I know you have proved yourself more worthy of what I feel for you."

"Then why did you not write when I wrote to you? It cast me down to get no answer."

"I could not trust myself to write. I had done too much in speaking, and I could not make out by your letters exactly what you meant, so I was amid I could not tell you just what I meant by mine. Besides I was ashamed of my writing, though it is better now, thanks to Amy. But I was ashamed whenever I thought of my mistake and your surprise; and besides I wanted you to right yourself because you felt you ought to do it, and not for my sake, for that would show you deserved my love. It is only when a man is unworthy that love can be a misery. Even if you had not told me that you feel that love, for me that makes me so happy I can scarce see you through my tears, I would never have mourned