“Oh! I beseech you, madam, let me finish. Many in my place would have
spoken to your father; but I thought that would hardly be fair in your
exceptional position. Still I have reason to believe that Count Ville-
Handry would look upon my proposals with favor. But then he would
probably have attempted to do violence to your feelings. Now I wish
to be indebted to you only, madam, deciding in full enjoyment of your
liberty; for”--
An expression of intense anxiety contracted the features of his usually
so impassive face; and he added with great earnestness,--
“Miss Henrietta, I am an honorable man; I love you. Will you be my
wife?”
By a stroke of instinctive genius, he had found the only argument,
perhaps, that might have procured credit for his sincerity.