Chapter 8

TWO PROPOSALS

The ruling idea of any mind assumes the foreground of thought; and after
Arenta's marriage the dominant desire of George Hyde was to have his
betrothal to Cornelia recognized and assured. He was in haste to light
his own nuptial torch, and afraid every day of that summons to England
which would delay the event. Hitherto, both had been satisfied with the
delicious certainty of their own hearts. To bring Love to discussion and
catechism, to talk of Love in connection with house and money matters,
to put him into bonds, however light those bonds might be, was indeed a
safe and prudent thing for their future happiness; but, so far, the
present with its sweet freedom and uncertainty had been more charming to
their imagination. Suddenly, however, Hyde felt the danger and stress of
this uncertainty and the fear of losing what he appeared to hold so
lightly.

"I may have to go away with mother at any time--I may be detained by
events I cannot help--and I have not bound Cornelia to me by any
personal recognized tie--and Rem Van Ariens will be ever near her. Oh,
indeed, this state of affairs will never do! I will write to Cornelia
this very moment and tell her I must see her father this evening. I
cannot possibly delay it longer. I have been a fool--a careless, happy
fool--too long. There is not now a day to lose. I have already wasted
more time than was reasonable over the love affairs of other people; now
I must look after my own. Safe bind, safe find; I will bind Cornelia to
me before I leave her, then I have a good right to find her safe when I
return to claim her."

While such thoughts were passing through his mind he had risen hastily
from the chair in which he had been musing. He opened his secretary and
sitting resolutely down, began a letter to Doctor Moran. He poured out
his heart and desires, and then he read what he had written. It would
not do at all. It was a love letter and not a business letter. He wrote
another, and then another. The first was too long, it left nothing in
the inkstand; the last was not to be thought of. When he had finished
reading them over, he was in a passion with himself.

"A fool in your teeth twice over, Joris Hyde!" he cried, "yes, sir,
three times, and far too good for you! Since you cannot write a decent
business letter, write, then, to the adorable Cornelia; the words will
be at your finger ends for that letter, and will slip from your pen as
if they were dancing:

"MY SWEET CORNELIA:

"I have not seen you for two days, and 'tis a miracle that I have
endured it. I can tell you, beloved, that I am much concerned about our
affairs, and now that I have begun to talk wisely I may talk a little