CHAPTER IV A PROPOSAL Dejectedly, Monte seated himself upon a trunk in the midst of a scene of fluffy chaos. Marie had swooped in from the next room, seized one armful, and returned in consternation as her mistress stood poised at the threshold. Then, with her face white, Marjory closed the door and locked it. "He's down there," she informed Monte. Monte glanced at his watch. "It's quarter of twelve," he announced. "I'll give him until twelve to leave." Marjory crossed to the window and stared out at the sun-lighted street. It was very beautiful out there--very warm and gentle and peaceful. And at her back all this turmoil. Once again the unspoken cry that sprang to her lips was just this:-- "It is n't fair--it is n't fair!" For ten years she had surrendered herself to Aunt Kitty--surrendered utterly the deep, budding years of her young womanhood. To the last minute she had paid her obligations in full. Then, at the moment she had been about to spread her long-folded wings and soar into the sunshine, this other complication had come. When the lawyer informed her of the fortune that was hers, she had caught her breath. It spelled freedom. Yet she asked for so little--for neither luxuries nor vanities; for just the privilege of leading for a space her own life, undisturbed by any responsibility. Selfish? Yes. But she had a right to be selfish for a little. She had answered that question when Peter Noyes--Monte reminded her in many ways of Peter--had come down to her farm in Littlefield one Sunday. She had seen more of Peter than of any other man, and knew him to be honest. He had been very gentle with her, and very considerate; but she knew what was in his heart, so she had put the question to herself then and there. If she chose to follow the road to which he silently beckoned--the road to all those wonderful hopes that had surged in upon her at eighteen--she had only to nod. If she had let herself go, she could have loved Peter. Then--she drew back at so surrendering herself. It meant a new set of self-sacrifices. It meant, however hallowed, a new prison. Because, if she loved, she would love hard. Monte glanced at his watch again. "Five minutes gone! Have you seen him leave?"