The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-05-17
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"And why have you not?''
81 have been at times half afraid that
you might accept" replied the candid
young man. cat Others" he added,
thoughtfully removing an almost invis-
ible dust speck from his sleeve, 81 have
been much perturbed by the possibility
oh, certainly, the possibility-that
you might refuse
"It would be disagreeable to be re-
fused remarked the lady impersonal-
ly.
"That," the gentleman considered,
"depends. If l was sure I wanted to
marry you, it would unquestionably be
disagreeable to be refused. -
''You are not sure whether you are
in love with me or not?" remarked the
young lady.
Mr.. Markham readjusted bis back to
the mantelpiece and said in low voice,
looking down at the very adjacent
brown, bent head:
81 admit am disappointed. / had
no idea that you could be stupid. 1t is
evidently possible. -
From the motion Of Miss Greatorex s
head-as they would say in the old
books-he implied a note of interroga-
ton.
1t is stupid not to have grasped the
question. ] have for quite long time
known that was in love with you"
"Ever since lunoheonP"
Perhaps not quite so long as that.
But certainly ever since, almost ever
since, Lady Greatorex left the ROOM"
The young lady laughed.
"Was my mother such an instance Of
George Eliot's malign prophet standing
behind her daughter and threatening
what she will be?''
II merely meant that the presence of
ohaperon is incompatible with senti-
ment."
i, :" observed the young woman, "do
not mind admitting that / am getting
confused. You now assert that for more
than 20 minutes you have adored me-"
(Mr. Markham's shoulders appeared to
deprecate the exaggeration of this rhet-
orio), "and moment ago you seemed
much to doubt your love-"
mot at all. That is why lately
called you stupid. 1 am sure that am
in love, but am very uncertain as to
whether would like to marry the be-
loved object. :"
Miss Greatorex laughed.
II admit it sounds perhaps improper.
merely mean that marriage as the nec-
essary denouement of being what is
called in love seems to me quite a
doubtful expedient.
"When there is no question Of being
in love-" he continued, relaxing him
self by a short walk to the other end of
the room and back, II think marriage
not bad arrangement. It is then mere
ly form Of business partnership, and
now that it has ceased to be insoluble
has no special terrors. But you and I
have nothing to gain by that. / am ex-
ceedingly well off SO are you. do not
need to marry for position; nor do you.
We neither of US need to demand blood
like Hamlet's aunt. In fine, as they say
in the Arabian Nights, you have moth
ing to gain by me, and have no mate
rial need Of anything you can supply to
me. Markham is just as fine a place as
Greatorex Abbey, and not a bit finer.
When l speak of being in love, it is
purely personal sensation. should
like it to become chronic. I really en-
JOY being in love- But if we got mar
ried''-
"You cannot anticipate your love
| standing that crucial test2''
II honestly admit that have my
doubts. We live In straightforward
age. Let me make clean breast of
them.
"You mean that you would dislike
the duty of being permanently in love
with me, said the young lady, who
perhaps found his remarks becoming too
general. Though as temporary senti-
mental excursion you have not hitherto
found it disagreeable?"
"What | find fault with isl he de-
clared, without very directly replying
to her question, "that unless one were
to marry you one could not do several
things one would like For instance, 1
would like very much to take you to
| India.
"When?" inquired the young lady,
with somewhat startling defniteness.
"Not, he replied, till, say October.
India in the middle of the season you
would not enjoy bit. But really fear,
unless we do get married, the trip Is
impossible. All the same, should like
to explain the Tai to you, and Shah
Aims mosque at Ahmedabad-oh, and
the Golden Gates at San Francisco; it
is tiresome that cannot take you there
without marrying you. /"
"You could take mamma as we'll, and
Aunt Adeliza, perhaps
"That would be different. A superior
plan for those to whom it commends it.
self, but personally should not like it
SO much.
Miss Greatorex laughed. Mr.. Mark.
ham left his sequestered seat and took
one beside her on the little sofa.
"Were you thinking" asked the
lady, "that you would like to take my
| hand?'
II have thought that before. l was
thinking Of taking it. Now, If we were
married." he continued after an inter
val, "this would be my business. It
would be expected of me, as it is Of a
hen to lay eggs or the Prince of Wales
to lay foundation stones"
"And then it would cease to pleaseP"
cit would then become detestable.
And often lately have pictured myself
as riding home in the deepening dusk
of winters afternoon from hunting,
either with you by my side or to find
you waiting for me at home. When
think of it, nearly take a hanson and
come here to lay myself at your feet. :"
"Why don't your
tFor the reasons detailed above.
picture being refused and the subse-
quent discontinue and Inconvenience
1t would entail an entire change Of all
my plans for the rest of the season.
"But if you were not refused2'
Mr.. Markham started.
ooh, that certainly struck me as an
alternative, but l did not find it less
alarming. If Iwere accepted, we should
probably get married, and how dull for
us both it would subsequently bel
What should really like would be for
you to come and stay just in our pres
ent capacity at Markham, say. for a
year. You would walk with me, row
with me, fish with me, hunt with me.
would read to you my favorite bits of
my favorite authors, and you should re-
taliate with yours. can imagine moth
ing so delightful have already had
you to stay at Markham, but then Lady
! Greatorex and Sir Marmaduke came,
too, and my sister came down to dc
hostess. We were never alone except
now and then for quarter Of an hour
after an hour of mutual endeavoring.
'Thank you, INTERCEPTED, with some