, he would soon find his way back again out of the difficulty.
But still she must flatter him, still she must make him think that
she loved him. It would not at all do for her to write as though the
thing were impossible. Then in a pleasant reverie she gave herself
up for a while to meditating over the sudden change which had come
upon her views of life. She remembered how strong she had been
in recommending Cecilia not to marry this man, and how she had
congratulated her when she found that she had escaped. And she
remembered the severe things she had said about Mr. Western. But in
her thoughts there was nothing of remorse or even of regret. "Well,
well; that it should have come to this! That he should have escaped
from Cecilia and have chosen me! Upon the whole it will be much
better for him. I shall tread on his corns less than she would, and
be less trodden upon, too, than she. It may be that I must tread on
his corns a little, but I will not begin till after my marriage."
Such was the nature of her thoughts. Perhaps an idea did creep in
as to some awkwardness when she should meet Cecilia. But they could
never see much of each other, and it might be that there would be no
such meeting. "What does it matter?" she said, as she turned to her
writing-table.

But this was not till three days had passed after the receipt of the
proposal. Three days, she thought, was a fitting time to show that,
though hurried by an affair of so much moment, she was not too much
hurried. And then she wrote as follows:--

MY DEAR SIR FRANCIS,

Your letter has almost taken away my breath. Why, you know nothing
or little about me! And since we have been acquainted with each other
our conversation has chiefly been about another lady to whom you were
engaged to be married. Now you ask me to be your wife; at least, if I
understand your letter, that is its purport. If I am wrong, of course
you will tell me so.

But of course I know that I am not wrong; and of course I am
flattered, and of course pleased. What I have seen of you I have
altogether liked, and I do not know why we should not be happy
together. But, marriage! marriage is a most important step,--as, no
doubt, you are well aware. Though I am quite earnest in what I am
saying, still I cannot but smile, and can fancy that you are smiling,
as though after all it were but a joke. However, give me but one week
to think of it all, and then I