"I pray thee now tell me, for which of my bad parts didst thou first
fall in love with me?"--Much Ado about Nothing.
"Alick, is this all chivalry?" inquired Colonel Keith, sitting by his
fire, suffering considerably from his late drive, and hearing reports
that troubled him.
"Very chivalrous, indeed! when there's an old county property to the
fore."
"For that matter, you have all been canny enough to have means enough to
balance all that barren moorland. You are a richer man than I shall ever
be."
"Without heiress-hunting?" said Alick, as though weighing his words.
"Come, Alick, you need not put on a mask that does not fit you! If it
is not too late, take the risk into consideration, for I own I think the
price of your championship somewhat severe."
"Ask Miss Williams."
"Ermine is grateful for much kindness, and is--yes--really fond of her."
"Then, Colonel, you ought to know that a sensible woman's favourable
estimate of one of her own sex outweighs the opinion men can form of
her."
"I grant that there are fine qualities; but, Alick, regarding you, as I
must necessarily do, from our former relations, you must let me speak if
there is still time to warn you, lest your pity and sense of injustice
should be entangling you in a connexion that would hardly conduce to
make you happy or popular."
"Popularity is not my line," said Alick, looking composedly into the
fire.
"Tell me first," said the puzzled Colonel, "are you committed?"
"No one can be more so."
"Engaged!!!"
"I thought you would have known it from themselves; but I find she has
forbidden her mother to mention it till she has seen me again. And they
talk of quiet, and shut me out!" gloomily added Alick.
The Colonel conceived a hope that the lady would abjure matrimony, and
release this devoted knight, but in a few moments Alick burst out-"Absurd! She cannot mend with anything on her mind! If I could have seen
Mrs. Curtis or Grace alone, they might have heard reason, but that old
woman of a doctor was prosing about quiet and strain on the nerves. I
know that sort of quiet, the best receipt for distraction!"
"Well, Alick," said his friend, smiling, "you have at least convinced me
that your heart is in the matter."
"How should it not be?" returned Alick.
"I was afraid it was only with the object of unjust vituperation."
"No such thing. Let me tell you, Colonel, my heart has been in it ever
since I felt the relief of meeting real truth and unselfishness! I
liked her that first evening, when she was manfully chasing us off
for frivolous danglers round her cousin! I liked her for having no
conventionalities, fast or slow, and especially for hating heroes! And
when my sister had helped to let her get into this intolerable web, how
could I look on without feeling the nobleness that has never shifted
blame from herself, but bowed, owned all, suffered--suffered--oh, how
grievously!"