How is a man ever to escape if he must submit under such circumstances as these?
'My dear Aunt Polly, I had better tell you at once that I cannot marry my cousin Julia.' Those were the words which he did speak, and as he spoke there was a look about his eyes and his mouth which ought to have made her know that there was no hope.
'And why not?
John Caldigate, is this you that I hear ?' 'Why should I ?' 'Because you promised it.' 'I never did, Aunt Polly.' 'And because she loves you.' 'Even if it were so, am I to be bound by that?
But, indeed, indeed, I never even suggested it,--never thought of it.

I am very fond of my cousin, very fond of all my cousins.

But marriage is a different thing.
I am inclined to think that cousins had better not marry.' 'You should have said that before.

But it is nonsense.

Cousins marry every day.