"What if they chose a Southern husband for you, and laid their
commands in his favour?"

"I am _yours_ -" I said, looking up at him. I could not say any
more, but I believe Mr. Thorold understood it all, just what I
meant him to understand; how that bond could never be
unloosed, what though the seal of it might be withheld. He was
satisfied.

"You are not brave, Daisy," he said, holding me again very
close; "here are these cheeks fairly grown white under my
supposings. Does that bring the colour back?" he added
laughing.

"Christian," I said, seizing my time while my face was half
hidden, "what would _you_ do, supposing I should prove to be a
very poor girl?"

"What is that?" said he, laughing more gayly, and raising my
face a little.

"You know what our property is."

"No, I do not."

"You know - I mean, you know, my father's and mother's
property is in Southern lands mostly, and in those that
cultivate them."