ed
that it must go on, why there's an end of it. I'll just tell you the
truth openly, Miss Marrable. I have loved,--I do love your niece with
all my heart. When I received her letter it upset me altogether, and
every hour since has made the feeling worse. I have come here just
to learn whether there may still possibly be a chance. You will not
quarrel with me because I have loved her so well?"

"Indeed no," said Miss Marrable, whose heart was gradually becoming
soft, and who was learning to forget the mud on Mr. Gilmore's boots
and trousers.

"I heard that Captain Marrable was,--at any rate, not a very rich
man; that he could hardly afford to marry his cousin. I did hear,
also, that the match might in other respects not be suitable."

"There is no other objection, Mr. Gilmore."

"It is the case, Miss Marrable, that these things sometimes come
on suddenly and go off suddenly. I won't deny that if I could
have gained Miss Lowther's heart without the interference of any
interloper, it would have been to me a brighter joy than anything
that can now be possible. A man cannot be proud of his position who
seeks to win a woman who owns a preference for another man." Miss
Marrable's heart had now become very soft, and she began to perceive,
of her own knowledge, that Mr. Gilmore was at any rate a gentleman.
"But I would take her in any way that I could get her. Perhaps--that
is to say, it might be--" And then he stopped.

Should she tell him everything? She had a strong idea that it was her
first duty to be true to her own sex and to her own niece. But were
she to tell the man the whole story it would do her niece no harm.
She still believed that the match with Captain Marrable must be
broken off. Even were this done it would be very long, she thought,
before Mary would bring herself to listen with patience to another
suitor. But of course it would be best for them all that this episode
in Mary's life should be forgotten and put out of sight as soon as
possible. Had not this dangerous captain come up, Mary, no doubt,--so
thought Miss Marrable,--would at last have complied with her friends'
advice, and have accepted a marriage which was in all respects
advantageous. If the episode could only get itself forgotten and put
out of sight, she might do so still. But there must be delay. Miss
Marrable, after waiting for half a minute to consider, determined
that she would tell him something. "No doubt," she said, "Captain
Marrabl