"She knows you are your own mistress."

"She _thinks_ I am," I said. "You know better."

"You are mine," said Mr. Thorold, with gentle gravity,
immediately. "You shall command me. Do you say go, Daisy?"

"May I influence you in something else?" I said putting my
hand in his to enforce my words.

"Eh?" said he, clasping the hand. "What, Daisy?"

"Christian, I want you not to write to my father and mother
until I give you leave." I thought I would let go arguing and
try persuasion.

He looked away, and then looked at me; - a look full of
affection, but I saw I had not moved him.

"I do not see how we can settle that, Daisy."

"But you said - you said -"

"What?"

"You said just now, you intimated, that my wishes would have
weight with you."

He laughed a little, a moved laugh, and kissed me. But it was
not a kiss which carried any compromise.