"
"Then let him take his own course, and be ruined."
"But I have just told you, sir, I am under obligation to him--
great obligation!"
"Oh! I see! you want him yourself!--Well, as you wish it, I would
rather you should have him than that she-devil. But come, now,
you must be open with me."
"I am. I will be."
"You say so, of course. Women do.--But you confess you want him
yourself?"
Mary saw it would be the worst possible policy to be angry with
him, especially as she had given him the trouble to come to her,
and she must not lose this her last chance.
"I do not want him," she answered, with a smile; "and, if I did,
he would never look at one in my position. He would as soon think
of marrying the daughter of one of his laborers--and quite right,
too--for the one might just be as good as the other."
"Well, now, that's a pity. I would have done a good deal for
_you_--I don't know why, for you're a little humbug if ever
there was one! But, if you don't care about the fellow, I don't
see why I should take the trouble. Confess--you're a little bit
in love with him--ain't you, now? Confess to that, and I will do
what I can."
"I can't confess to a lie. I owe Mr. Wardour a debt of gratitude
--that is all--but no light thing, you will allow, sir!"
"I don't know; I never tried its weight. Anyhow, I should make
haste to be rid of it.
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