Very well then, I'll do it." "I dare say it's very much that.

Only I don't see why, for what I speak of," she smiled--"for a mere escape from my state--I need do quite so MUCH." "So much as marry me in particular ?" Her smile was as for true directness.

"I might get what I want for less." "You think it so much for you to do ?" "Yes," she presently said, "I think it's a great deal." Then it was that, though she was so gentle, so quite perfect with him, and he felt he had come on far--then it was that of a sudden something seemed to fail and he didn't quite know where they were.

There rose for him, with this, the fact, to be sure, of their disparity, deny it as mercifully and perversely as she would.

He might have been her father.
"Of course, yes--that's my disadvantage: I'm not the natural, I'm so far from being the ideal match to your youth and your beauty.