"Does it
occur to you," she asked at last, "that people have tongues? If you go
on following me like this, they will really begin to talk about us."
"Now, upon my word, Hilda," I cried, "that is the very first time I have
ever known you show a woman's want of logic! I do not propose to follow
you; I propose to happen to be travelling by the same steamer. I ask you
to marry me; you won't; you admit you are fond of me; yet you tell me
not to come with you. It is _I_ who suggest a course which would prevent
people from chattering--by the simple device of a wedding. It is YOU
who refuse. And then you turn upon me like this! Admit that you are
unreasonable."
"My dear Hubert, have I ever denied that I was a woman?"
"Besides," I went on, ignoring her delicious smile, "I don't intend to
FOLLOW you. I expect, on the contrary, to find myself beside you. When
I know where you are going, I shall accidentally turn up on the same
steamer. Accidents WILL happen. Nobody can prevent coincidences from
occurring. You may marry me, or you may not; but if you don't marry
me, you can't expect to curtail my liberty of action, can you? You had
better know the worst at once; if you won't take me, you must count upon
finding me at your elbow all the world over--till the moment comes when
you choose to accept me.
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