airily. The man was imperturbable--a
pachydermatous imbecile. 'You're all wrong, yah know,' he said, after a
long pause, during which he had regarded me through his eye-glass as if
I were a specimen of some rare new species. 'You're all wrong, and yah
won't believe me. But I tell yah, I know what I'm talking about. You
think it's quite safe about Marmy's money--that he's left it to Harold,
because you drew the will up. I assuah you that will's not worth the
paper it's written on. You fancy Harold's a hot favourite: he's a rank
outsidah. I give you a chance, and you won't take it. I want yah
because you're a remarkable woman. Most of the Ethels cry when they're
trying to make a fellah propose to 'em; and I don't like 'em damp: but
_you_ have some go about yah. You insist upon backing the wrong man. But
you'll find your mistake out yet.' A bright idea struck him. 'I say--why
don't you hedge? Leave it open till Marmy's gone, and then marry the
winnah?'

It was hopeless trying to make this clod understand. His brain was not
built with the right cells for understanding me. 'Lord Southminster,' I
said, turning upon him and clasping my hands, 'I will not go away while
you stop here. But you have some spark enough of a gentleman in your
composition, I hope, not to inflict your company any longer upon a woman
who does not desire it. I ask you to leave me here alone. When you have
gone, and I have had time to recover from your degrading offer, I may
perhaps feel able to go down to my cabin.'

He stared at me with open blue eyes--those watery blue eyes. 'Oh, just
as you like,' he answered. 'I wanted to do you a good turn, because
you're the only woman I evah really admiahed--to say admiah, don't you
know; not trotted round like the Ethels: but you won't allow me. I'll go
if you wish it; though I tell you again, you're backing the wrong man,
and soonah or latah you'll discover it. I don't mind laying you six to
four against him. Howevah, I'll do one thing for yah: I'll leave this
offah always open. I'm not likely to marry any othah woman--not good
enough, is it?--and if evah you find out you're mistaken about Harold
Tillington, remembah, honour bright, I shall be ready at any time to
renew my offah.'

By this time I was at boiling-point. I could not find words to answer
him. I waved him away angrily with one hand. He raised his hat with
quite a jaunty air and strolled off forward, puffing his cigarette. I
don't think he even kn