The silence that followed lasted long enough for the grandfather clock to strike nine.

At last she handed them over.

I read slowly.

She thanked me for considering the factory investment.

She explained that no employee should be forced to depend on the success of a personal arrangement.

She said she admired the patience I showed people who came to meetings with no influence and little money.

Then, near the end, she wrote that over the months of negotiations her feelings had changed.

I don’t want to become your wife because you can rescue my family’s company, the letter said.