“For heaven’s sake, here you are kneeling already,” she said mockingly.
“You are making a good beginning.” When I had risen again she
continued, “I will give you a year’s time to win me, to convince me
that we are suited to each other, that we might live together. If you
succeed, I will become your wife, and a wife, Severin, who will
conscientiously and strictly perform all her duties. During this year
we will live as though we were married—”
My blood rose to my head.