irl should have the cruelty to refuse a
proposal--

_Culchard_ (_with alacrity_). RUSKIN is always so right.
And--er--where there is such complete sympathy in tastes and ideas, as
I venture to think exists in our own case, the cruelty would--

[Illustration: "It does seem rather rough on fellows, don't you
know."]

_Miss P._ Pray allow me to finish! "Refuse a proposal _at once_" is
RUSKIN's expression. He also says (if my memory does not betray me),
that "no lover should have the insolence to think of being accepted at
once." You will find the passage somewhere in "_Fors_."

_Culch._ (_whose jaw has visibly fallen_). I cannot say I recall it
at this moment. Does he hold that a lover should expect to be accepted
by--er--instalments, because, if so--

_Miss P._ I think I can quote his exact words. "If she simply doesn't
like him, she may send him away for seven years--"

_Culch._ (_stiffly_). No doubt that course is open to her. But why
seven, and where is he expected to go?

_Miss P._ (_continuing calmly_). "He vowing to live on cresses and
wear sackcloth meanwhile, or the like penance."

_Culch._ I feel bound to state at once that, in my own case, my
position at Somerset House would render anything of that sort utterly
impracticable.

_Miss P._ Wait, please,--you are so impetuous. "If she likes him a
little,"--(_CULCHARD's brow relaxes_)--"or thinks she might come to
like him in time, she may let him stay near her,"--(_CULCHARD makes
a movement of relief and gratitude_)--"putting him always on sharp
trial, and requiring, figuratively, as many lion-skins or giants'
heads as she thinks herself worth."

_Culch._ (_grimly_). "Figuratively" is a distinct concession on
RUSKIN's part. Still, I should be glad to know--

_Miss P._ If you will have a little more patience, I will make myself
clear. I have always determined that when the--ah--occasion presented
itself, I would deal with it on Ruskinian principles. I propose in
your case--presuming of course that you are willing to be under vow
for me--to adopt a middle course.

_Culch._ You are extremely good. And what precise form of--er--penance
did you think of?

_Miss P._ The trial I impose is, that you leave Constance
to-morrow--with Mr. PODBURY.

_Culch._ (_firmly_). If you expect me to travel for seven years with
him, permit me to mention that I simply cannot do it. My leave expires
in three weeks.

_Miss P._ I mentioned no term, I believe. Long before t