In Castle and Colony (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXI Monsieur Pors was in New Amsterdam. The time for which he had waited in New Sweden had come and gone, and June was here. The question that Agneta had at first felt herself fully ready to meet, and of late had experienced a growing reluctance to face, had been asked. And she was not Monsieur Pors' promised bride. Neither had he given up the dream he had indulged for fifteen years. He meant to carry this maiden back with him to the castle in Sweden, and to earn the everlasting gratitude of old Brita. But he had made up his mind to wait a little longer before he realized his dreams. The child Agneta had been ever a pleasant picture in his mind. The maiden Agneta was something more. It was no longer the fancy of Monsieur Pors that was touched, but his heart. He had come to New Sweden determined to gratify his fancy and secure his rights. He left it pledged to himself to satisfy the cravings of his affection, and secure the girl who meant more to him than all his wealth. When he declared his love it was in no conventional terms. The eyes that looked into hers sent their message straight down into the girl's heart. She had expected flattery and fervent persuasion, and she thought she knew how to meet them. What she was not quite prepared to meet was the honest love that shone in the speaker's eyes, and spoke in his voice. For once Gustavus Pors did not pick his words. They came red-hot from his lips, and they were hard to answer. Agneta had thought much about the reply she meant to give, but when it had to be spoken the words failed her. The decision had not been as easily reached as she expected. Again and again she went back to her mother's words: "Promise me that to the woman's heart within you, and not the girl's head, you will go for your answ...