Saraband for Two Sisters

“Now let me talk to you very seriously. Have you thought very much about marrying?»

“Only vaguely. My sister and I used to talk about it sometimes. We used to wonder whom we would marry and who would marry first… You See, being twins we have always done everything together. There were so few eligible people surrounding us, and we guessed we would marry two of the young men of the neighborhood.»

“And you came to London and met me.”

“And how glad I am! I was never more glad of anything in my life-“ “You are at the beginning of your life, my dear. Let us remember that. I must make you see what life would be like if you married me. You have been here in this house and you have been to one or two balls and masques and there is no doubt that you have found life here a little more exciting than that in your country house. That’s true, I believe.”

“Yes,” I admitted, “but not because of the balls and masques.”

“I am glad of that,” he said. “I lead a quieter life.”

“I shall be happy to share it.”

“You have a good sweet nature and I believe you will make me very happy • • • if this marriage should take place.”

“But it is going to take place. You have asked me and I have accepted. If we both want it, it must take place, must it not?”

“Yes,” he answered, “if we both want it and there is no objection from your family.”

“My parents would want me to be happy. They always have.»

“Then I shall ask their consent. I shall speak to Sir Gervaise, who is your temporary guardian, and ask him to recommend me to your parents.” I clasped my hands blissfully.

“But first,” he went on, “I want you to be absolutely sure what this means.»

“I know that I want to be with you more than anything.” I spoke fervently and the truth of what I said astonished me. Truly I loved this man. “I have pointed out to you the disparity in our ages.”

‘Which I accept and rejoice in. Do you think I want a young man with breeches like bellows tied up with fancy ribbons?”

He smiled. I noticed then that he rarely laughed and sometimes it was as though he smiled in spite of himself. He was a very serious man, this one I loved. I thought: “I shall change that. I’ll make him so happy that he will laugh all the time.”

“There are certain things you must know about me. I have been already married.”

“Did she die?” I asked.

“She died,” he answered.

“And it was very sad, I suppose.”

“Yes, it was very sad.”

“Then please don’t talk about it if it distresses you.”

“I think you should know of it.”

‘Was it long ago?”

“Ten years,” he said.

“But that is a very long time.”

“Yes,” he said, “it has seemed a very long time.”

“And did you never want to marry anyone until now?” He hesitated. Then he said, “I thought of it once ... but decided against it.”

“So you weren’t really in love.”

“I thought it might be unwise.”

I got up and, going to him, stood behind him and placed my bands on his shoulders and laid my face against his head.

“And you do not think it unwise now?”

“I think this could perhaps be the right thing for me. I have to consider whether it would be right for you.”

“No!” I cried vehemently, “that is for me to say.”

He took my hand from his shoulder and pressed his lips to it.

“As you see, Angelet, I am not a very merry man.”

“No, you are serious. I like that. You are the King’s General. You have a high position in his army.”

“Which takes me away from home frequently. Would you like that?”

“I should not like you to be away from me but I would accept it.»

“Then life is rather quiet in Far Flamstead. It is different from here. I do not entertain there very much. I never have. In fact I am not the most sociable of men.»

“I am not very good at balls and banquets.”

‘We should have to attend them occasionally. Sometimes we should have to be at Whitehall.”

“Then I should enjoy that because it was not often.”

“You are determined to find everything to your liking.”

“I believe that is how it is when one is in love.”

“Oh, Angelet,” he said, “I can’t do this. You are too young. You have had no experience of living.”

“You will give me my experience. Is that not what a husband should do?”

“I am afraid,” he said.

“Please do not be afraid that I will not be suitable.”

“I am afraid that I am the one who will fail you.”

“This must be the strangest proposal ever made,” I said. “You ask me to marry you and then you proceed to tell me why I shouldn’t.”

“All I want is for you to be sure and not to discover that you have made a terrible mistake.”

“I am sure,” I cried. “I am. I am.”

Then he stood up and he held me in his arms. I had never been embraced by a man before, so I had no way of judging it. I thought he was very tender, and I knew that I was going to be very happy.