'
'I would not.'
'Then you must talk about them for my sake. How was it that the
Duke came round at last?'
'I hardly know. She sent for me.'
'A fine high-spirited girl. These Pallisers have more courage
about them than one expects from their outward manner.
Silverbridge has plenty of it.'
'I remember telling you he could be obstinate.'
'And I remember that I did not believe you. Now I know it. He has
that sort of pluck which enables a man to break a girl's heart,--or
to destroy a girl's hopes,--without wincing. He can tell a girl to
her face that she can go to the--mischief for him. There are so
many men who can't do that, from cowardice, though their hearts be
ever so well inclined. "I have changed my mind." There is
something great in the courage of a man who can say that to a
woman in so many words. Most of them, when they escape by lies and
subterfuges. Or they run away and won't allow themselves to be
heard of. They trust to a chapter of accidents, and leave things
to arrange themselves. But when a man can look a girl in the face
with those seemingly soft eyes, and say with that seemingly soft
mouth,--"I have changed my mind",--though she would look him dead in
return, if she could, still she must admire him.
Pages:
1014
1015
1016
1017
1018
1019
1020
1021
1022
1023
1024
1025
1026
1027
1028
1029
1030
1031
1032
1033
1034
1035
1036
1037
1038