"I should sit as serene as a brazen statue, and receive it

without a quaver," he promised.

"Well, then," said she, leaning forward a little, and dropping

her voice, "why don't you take your courage in both hands, and

ask her?"

Peter stared.

"Be guided by me--and do it," she said.

"Do what?" he puzzled.

"Ask her to marry you, of course," she returned amiably. Then,

without allowing him time to shape an answer, "Touche!" she

cried, in triumph. "I 've brought the tell-tale colour to your

cheek. And you a brazen statue! 'They do not love who do not

show their love.' But, in faith, you show yours to any one

who'll be at pains to watch you. Your eyes betray you as often

as ever you look at her. I had n't observed you for two

minutes by the clock, when I knew your secret as well as if you

'd chosen me for your confessor. But what's holding you back?

You can't expect her to do the proposing. Now curse me for a

meddlesome Irishwoman, if you will--but why don't you throw

yourself at her feet, and ask her, like a man?"

"How can I?" said Peter, abandoning any desire he may have felt

to beat about the bush. Nay, indeed, it is very possible he

welcomed, rather than resented, the Irishwoman's meddling.

"What's to prevent you?" said she.

"Everything," said he.

"Everything is nothing. That?"

"Dear lady! She is hideously rich, for one thing."

"Getaway with you!" was the dear lady's warm expostulation.

"What has money to do with the question, if a man's in love?

But that's the English of it--there you are with your

cold-blooded calculation. You chain up your natural impulses as

if they were dangerous beasts. Her money never saved you from

succumbing to her enchantments. Why should it bar you from

declaring your passion."

"There's a sort of tendency in society," said Peter, "to look

upon the poor man who seeks the hand of a rich woman as a

fortunehunter."

"A fig for the opinion of society," she cried. "The only

opinion you should consider is the opinion of the woman you

adore. I was an heiress myself; and when Teddy O'Donovan

proposed to me, upon my conscience I believe the sole piece of

property he possessed in the world was a corkscrew. So much

for her ducats!"

Peter laughed.

"Men, after coffee, are frequently in the habit of smoking,"

said she. "You have my sanction for a cigarette. It will keep

you in countenance."




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