Why do you wish it?"
"Because I am so fond of him."
"Oh;--indeed!"
"If you're a goose, I'll hit you. I am fond of him. Next to you and
my own people, and Lady Ushant, I like him best in all the world."
"What a pity you couldn't have put him up a little higher."
"I used to think so too;--only I couldn't. If anybody loved you as
he did me,--offered you everything he had in the world,--thought
that you were the best in the world, would have given his life for
you, would not you be grateful?"
"I don't know that I need wish to ask such a person to my wedding."
"Yes, you would, if in that way you could build a bridge to bring
him back to happiness. And, Reg, though you used to despise him--"
"I never despised him."
"A little I think--before you knew him. But he is not despicable."
"Not at all, my dear."
"He is honest and good, and has a real heart of his own."
"I am afraid he has parted with that"
"You know what I mean, and if you won't be serious I shall think
there is no seriousness in you. I want you to tell me how it can be
done."
Then he was serious, and tried to explain to her that he could not
very well do what she wanted. "He is your friend you know rather
than mine;--but if you like to write to him you can do so."
This seemed to her to be very difficult, and, as she thought more
of it, almost impossible.
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