I never refused you in so many words.

Now I say distinctly 'Yes'-- if you'll have me.

Only, you know quite well I can't actually marry you whilst mother lies so ill..." Major Armstrong, very red in the face, in a mixture of exultation, sympathy and annoyance that the affairs of his heart are being discussed before a whipper-snapper stranger--says: "_Honoria!_ Do you _mean_ it?
Oh..." _Honoria_: "Of course I mean it! And if I drew back you could now have a breach-of-promise-of-marriage action, with David as an important witness.

D.V.W .-- who by the bye is a cousin of my _greatest friend_--my friend for life, whether you like her--as you ought to do--or not--Vivie Warren....

David is reading for the Bar; and besides being your witness to what I have just said, might--if you deferred your action long enough--be your Counsel....