"
"That was so kind of you."
"I thought that I could explain to you more openly and more freely,
what his intentions really are."
"Oh! I have no doubt that they are honourable," said Miss Dunstable.
"He does not want to deceive me in that way, I am quite sure." It was
impossible to help laughing, and Mrs. Harold Smith did laugh. "Upon
my word you would provoke a saint," said she.
"I am not likely to get into any such company by the alliance that
you are now suggesting to me. There are not many saints usually at
Chaldicotes, I believe;--always excepting my dear bishop and his
wife."
"But, my dear, what am I to say to Nathaniel?"
"Tell him, of course, how much obliged to him I am."
"Do listen to me one moment. I dare say that I have done wrong to
speak to you in such a bold, unromantic way."
"Not at all. The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
That's what we agreed upon. But one's first efforts in any line are
always apt to be a little uncouth."
"I will send Nathaniel to you himself."
"No, do not do so. Why torment either him or me? I do like
your brother; in a certain way I like him much. But no earthly
consideration would induce me to marry him. Is it not so glaringly
plain that he would marry me for my money only, that you have not
even dared to suggest any other reason?"
"Of course it would have been nonsense to say that he had no regard
whatever towards your money.
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