Why do we love?

hur reading instead of studying during prep

'Professor Van Tassel,' she said, employing my surname, which I took to be a bad omen, 'I know that an offer of marriage is not easily tendered.' (Oh, but it was, I so wanted to say; and perhaps she sensed this, for she held up her hand to stay my speech.) 'But neither can such an offer, if it is sincere, be easily accepted,' she continued. 'And so you must allow me time to think about this so that I can make an honest and clear decision.'

'I'll call in two days,' I said, eager to mark the boundaries of this decision-making.

'No, let it be a week before we see each other again. I need time to contemplate my future.'

'You wish leisure to think,' I said.

'Not leisure, Professor Van Tassel. But time for meditation. I cannot make such a momentous decision in a hurry.'

'Shall I speak to your uncle?'

'Not at this time.'

'Please,' I said, unable to keep the desperation from my voice, 'don't take too much time. I doubt I'll have a restful night until I hear from you.'

And I think that naked confession moved her somewhat, for she nodded - not in amusement or with pity, but with true sympathy, an emotion to which, I would shortly discover, Etna Bliss had ready and ample access.