"Thank you: I am very comfortable here. I am staying on a visit with
Miss Carew."
Silence ensued; and he sat down slowly. Then she added, "I am
exceedingly glad that you have got something good at last. It must
be a great relief to your poor mother."
"I fancied, Alice--though it may have been only fancy--I fancied
that YOUR mother was colder than usual in her manner this morning. I
hope that the luxuries of this palatial mansion are powerless to
corrupt your heart. I cannot lead you to a castle and place crowds
of liveried servants at your beck and call; but I can make you
mistress of an honorable English home, independent of the bounty of
strangers. You can never be more than a lady, Alice."
"It is very good of you to lecture me, I am sure."
"You might be serious with me," he said, rising in ill-humor, and
walking a little way down the room.
"I think the offer of a man's hand ought to be received with
respect."
"Oh! I did not quite understand. I thought we agreed that you are
not to make me that offer every time we meet."
"It was equally understood that the subject was only deferred until
I should be in a position to resume it without binding you to a long
engagement. That time has come now; and I expect a favorable answer
at last. I am entitled to one, considering how patiently I have
waited for it."
"For my part, Wallace, I must say I do not think it wise for you to
think of marrying with only three hundred and fifty pounds a year."
"With a house: remember that; and coals and gas! You are becoming
very prudent, now that you live with Miss Whatshername here. I fear
you no longer love me, Alice."
"I never said I loved you at any time."
"Pshaw! You never said so, perhaps; but you always gave me to
understand that--"
"I did nothing of the sort, Wallace; and I won't have you say so."
"In short," he retorted, bitterly, "you think you will pick up some
swell here who will be a better bargain than I am."
"Wallace! How dare you?"
"You hurt my feelings, Alice, and I speak out. I know how to behave
myself quite as well as those who have the entree here; but when my
entire happiness is at stake I do not stand on punctilio. Therefore,
I insist on a straightforward answer to my fair, honorable
proposal."