You can tell her that you love her; can tell her so
again and again even though she should scorn you. You can set
yourself about the business you have taken in hand and can work
hard at it. What can a girl do?'
'Girls work hard sometimes.'
'Of course they do;--but everybody feels that they are sinning
against their sex. Of love, such as a man's is, a woman ought to
know nothing. How can she love with passion when she should never
give her love till it has been asked, and not then unless her
friends tell her that the thing is suitable? Love such as that to
me is out of the question. But, as it is fit that I should be
married, I wish to be married well.'
'And you will love him after a fashion?'
'Yes;--after a very sterling fashion. I will make his wishes my
wishes, his ways my ways, his party my party, his home my home,
his ambition my ambition,--his honour my honour.' As she said this
she stood up with her hands clenched and head erect, and her eyes
flashing. 'Do you not know me well enough to be sure that I should
be loyal to him?'
'Yes;--I think that you would be loyal.
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