In the midst of all this he sought out Ella.  She had hidden herself away; she had but a poor opinion of herself since her discomfiture.  In her imagination he had assumed almost unnatural proportions, and when he came and took her out with him, she felt as though she had once more exchanged the close atmosphere of the house for free air and sunshine.  She even felt something of her old self-confidence.  His feelings for her were the same; that she noticed at once, as she studied him.  He knew the forms of society, and could pay attention and render homage with dignity; he refrained from any premature speech.  She had heard that he was prone to take a glass too much, but she saw nothing in that.  A handsome fellow, a man such as one seldom sees, a little weather-beaten perhaps, but most sailors are the same.  Something undefined in his eyes frightened her, as did his greediness at table.  Sometimes she was startled at the vehemence of his opinions.  If only she had been at home, and could have made inquiries beforehand!  But he was to leave very soon, and had said jestingly that the next time that he proposed, he would be betrothed and married all at once.  This plain-speaking and precipitation pleased her, not less than his energy and authoritative manner, although she felt frightened—­frightened, and at the same time flattered, that so much energy and authoritativeness should bow before her, and that at a time when all paid court to him.

Then an idea, which she thought very sensible, occurred to her.  She would, in the event of an offer, impose two conditions:  she must retain the control of her own property, and never be forced to accompany him on his voyages.  In case his energy and tone of authority should chance to become intractable a limit was thus set, and she would, from the outset, make him comprehend that, little as she was, she knew how to protect both herself and her possessions.

When the offer came—­it was made in a box at the theatre—­she had not courage sufficient to make her stipulation.  His expression filled her with horror—­for the first time.  She often thought of it afterwards.  Instead of acting upon this intuitive perception, she began to speculate on what would happen if she were again to say No!  She had accepted his friendship although she knew what was coming.  The conditions, the conditions—­they should settle it!  If he accepted them, it should be as he wished, and then there could be no possible danger.  So she wrote and propounded them.

He came the next day and asked for the necessary papers, so that he could himself arrange both about the property and the contract.  He evidently looked upon it as a matter of business, and seemed thoroughly pleased.

Three days later they were married.  It was an imposing ceremony, and there was a large concourse; it had been announced in all the papers.

Demonstrations of admiration and respect followed, much parade and many speeches, mingled with witticisms over his size and her smallness.  This lasted from five in the evening till after midnight, in rather mixed company.  As time wore on, and the champagne continually flowed, many of the guests became boisterous and somewhat intrusive, and among them the bridegroom.