you should come and live here by yourself. It isn't like a
country-house exactly.'

'I shan't live there by myself certainly. You heard what Mrs Partridge
said just now.'

'What did Mrs Partridge say?'

'She wanted to know whether it belonged to both of us, and whether it
was not all one. Shall it be all one, Clara?'

She was leaning over the rail of the bridge as he spoke, with her eyes
fixed on the slowly moving water. When she heard his words she raised
her face and looked full upon him. She was in some sort prepared for
the moment, though it would be untrue to say that she had now expected
it. Unconsciously she had made some resolve that if ever the question
were put to her by him, she would not be taken altogether off her
guard; and now that the question was put to her, she was able to
maintain her composure. Her first feeling was one of triumph as it must
be in such a position to any woman who has already acknowledged to
herself that she loves the man who then asks her to be his wife. She
looked up into Captain Aylmer's face and his eye almost quailed beneath
hers. Even should he be triumphant, he was not perfectly assured that
his triumph would be a success.

'Shall what be all one?' she asked.

'Shall it be in your house and my house? Can you tell me that you will
love me and be my wife?' Again she looked at him, and he repeated his
question. 'Clara, can you love me well enough to take me for your