"Have you the fond hope of finding a flaw in my reasoning?
Of course I've as good a right to marry as any one else." "Well then," said Ralph, "I won't say it vexes me to see you single.

It delights me rather." "You're not serious yet.

You never will be." "Shall you not believe me to be so on the day I tell you I desire to give up the practice of going round alone ?" Miss Stackpole looked at him for a moment in a manner which seemed to announce a reply that might technically be called encouraging.

But to his great surprise this expression suddenly resolved itself into an appearance of alarm and even of resentment.

"No, not even then," she answered dryly.