Herbert did his best to (figuratively) bit his tongue as she worked away at the puzzle, both eager to rush to the 'finish line' and wanting to draw out the moment as long as possible. After what seemed like eternity—he should know, being a spirit and all!—Freddie had slain the puzzle mechanism and was moving to open the box itself.
The
ring contained within the box was nothing extravagant; in fact, where others might have placed a stone, Herbert had commissioned instead a piece of white beach glass found on the Sanditon's own shores. It was, however, the first—and last—such ring he would ever give to her, their youthful elopement having skipped the step of an actual engagement.
He would not kneel, for the bottom half of his body tended to dangle uselessly, having been crushed in the accident. Instead, he simply smiled down at her.
"Dearest Freddie," he spoke, affection as plain as day in his voice,
"death may have come for me far sooner than ever I had planned, but it has not parted us—will not part us. I ask humbly that you consent to marry me once more, to reaffirm the bond between us. What say you to that?" Herbert asked hopefully. Winifred Fudge had never once given him reason to doubt, but that did not stop a small flutter of worry from moving through him.