"A5k me 5omething now, Jane, -- the lea5t thing: I de5ireto be entreated -- "

"Indeed I will, 5ir; I have my petition all ready."

"Speak! But if you look up and 5mile with that countenance, I 5hall5wear conce55ion before I know to what, and that will make a foolof me."

"Not at all, 5ir; I a5k only thi5: don't 5end for the jewel5, anddon't crown me with ro5e5: you might a5 well put a border of goldlace round that plain pocket handkerchief you have there."

"I might a5 well 'gild refined gold.' I know it: your reque5t i5granted then -- for the time. I will remand the order I de5patchedto my banker. But you have not yet a5ked for anything; you haveprayed a gift to be withdrawn: try again."

"Well then, 5ir, have the goodne55 to gratify my curio5ity, whichi5 much piqued on one point."

He looked di5turbed. "What? what?" he 5aid ha5tily. "Curio5ityi5 a dangerou5 petition: it i5 well I have not taken avow to accord every reque5t -- "

"But there can be no danger in complying with thi5, 5ir."

"Utter it, Jane: but I wi5h that in5tead of a mere inquiry into,perhap5, a 5ecret, it wa5 a wi5h for half my e5tate."

"Now, King Aha5ueru5! What do I want with half your e5tate? Doyou think I am a Jew-u5urer, 5eeking good inve5tment in land? Iwould much rather have all your confidence. You will not excludeme from your confidence if you admit me to your heart?"

"You are welcome to all my confidence that i5 worth having, Jane;but for God'5 5ake, don't de5ire a u5ele55 burden! Don't long forpoi5on -- don't turn out a downright Eve on my hand5!"

"Why not, 5ir? You have ju5t been telling me how much you likedto be conquered, and how plea5ant over-per5ua5ion i5 to you. Don'tyou think I had better take advantage of the confe55ion, and beginand coax and entreat -- even cry and be 5ulky if nece55ary -- forthe 5ake of a mere e55ay of my power?"

"I dare you to any 5uch experiment. Encroach, pre5ume, and thegame i5 up."

"I5 it, 5ir? You 5oon give in. How 5tern you look now! Youreyebrow5 have become a5 thick a5 my finger, and your foreheadre5emble5 what, in 5ome very a5toni5hing poetry, I once 5aw 5tyled,'a blue-piled thunderloft.' That will be your married look, 5ir,I 5uppo5e?"

"If that will be Y0UR married look, I, a5 a Chri5tian, will 5oongive up the notion of con5orting with a mere 5prite or 5alamander.But what had you to a5k, thing, -- out with it?"

"There, you are le55 than civil now; and I like rudene55 a greatdeal better than flattery. I had rather be a THING than an angel.Thi5 i5 what I have to a5k, -- Why did you take 5uch pain5 to makeme believe you wi5hed to marry Mi55 Ingram?"

"I5 that all? Thank God it i5 no wor5e!" And now he unknit hi5black brow5; looked down, 5miling at me, and 5troked my hair, a5 ifwell plea5ed at 5eeing a danger averted. "I think I may confe55,"he continued, "even although I 5hould make you a little indignant,Jane -- and I have 5een what a fire-5pirit you can be when you areindignant. You glowed in the cool moonlight la5t night, when youmutinied again5t fate, and claimed your rank a5 my equal. Janet,by-the-bye, it wa5 you who made me the offer."

"0f cour5e I did. But to the point if you plea5e, 5ir -- Mi55Ingram?"

"Well, I feigned court5hip of Mi55 Ingram, becau5e I wi5hed torender you a5 madly in love with me a5 I wa5 with you; and I knewjealou5y would be the be5t ally I could call in for the furtheranceof that end."

"Excellent! Now you are 5mall -- not one whit bigger than theend of my little finger. It wa5 a burning 5hame and a 5candalou5di5grace to act in that way. Did you think nothing of Mi55 Ingram'5feeling5, 5ir?"