just a hope
that I may not be unacceptable as a husband to you? Your talents are
very great; and of course I know that I have nothing at all in that way.
Still people are happy together sometimes in spite of such things. Will
you say "Yes," and settle it now?'

'I was not expecting you had come upon such an errand as this,' said she,
looking up a little, but mostly looking down. 'I cannot say what you
wish, Mr. Neigh.

'Perhaps I have been too sudden and presumptuous. Yes, I know I have
been that. However, directly I saw you I felt that nobody ever came so
near my idea of what is desirable in a lady, and it occurred to me that
only one obstacle should stand in the way of the natural results, which
obstacle would be your refusal. In common kindness consider. I daresay
I am judged to be a man of inattentive habits--I know that's what you
think of me; but under your influence I should be very different; so pray
do not let your dislike to little matters influence you.'

'I would not indeed. But believe me there can be no discussion of
marriage between us,' said Ethelberta decisively.

'If that's the case I may as well say no more. To burden you with my
regrets would be out of place, I suppose,' said Neigh, looking calmly out
of the window.

'Apart from personal feeling, there are considerations which would
prevent what you contemplated,' she murmured. 'My affairs are too
lengthy, intricate, and unpleasant for me to explain to anybody at
present. And that would be a necessary first step.'

'Not at all. I cannot think that preliminary to be necessary at all. I
would put my lawyer in communication with yours, and we would leave the
rest to them: I believe that is the proper way. You could say anything
in confidence to your family-man; and you could inquire through him
anything you might wish to know about my--about me. All you would need
to say to myself are just the two little words--"I will," in the church
here at the end of the Crescent.'

'I am sorry to pain you, Mr. Neigh--so sorry,' said Ethelberta. 'But I
cannot say them.' She was rather distressed that, despite her
discouraging words, he still went on with his purpose, as if he imagined
what she so distinctly said to be no bar, but rather a stimulant, usual
under the circumstances.

'It does not matter about paining me,' said Neigh. 'Don't take that into
consideration at all. But I did not expect you to leave me so entirely
without help--to