must now commence. It was necessary that she should first state her
request plainly before she began to urge it with such eloquence as
she had at her command.

"I can understand what you say, Uncle Hatto."

"I am glad of that, at any rate."

"And I know that I have no right to ask you for anything."

"I do not say that. Anything in reason, that a girl like you should
ask of her old uncle, I would give you."

"I have no such reasonable request to make, uncle. I have never
wanted new ribbons from you or gay toys. Even from my own mother I
have not wanted them;--not wanted them faster than they seemed to
come without any asking."

"No, no; you have been a good girl."

"I have been a happy girl; and quite happy with those I loved, and
with what Providence had given me. I had nothing to ask for. But
now I am no longer happy, nor can I be unless you do for me this
which I ask of you. I have wanted nothing till now, and now in my
need I come to you."

"And now you want a husband with a fortune!"

"No!" and that single word she spoke, not loudly, for her voice was
low and soft, but with an accent which carried it sharply to his ear