Silas immediately got anxious, and he quickly said, "I can help you, and I will not force you to marry me. Charlotte, you know I..."

"Ok," she interrupted, "Silas, I can't put you into the mess just because of myself. I have to do so many things I don't like. This one won't make it worse."

She pursed her lips, rubbed her fingers, and then added, "If you think I'm playing with your feelings, you can refuse to meet me in the future. But I do think you as a very valuable ...