you,' said I--you know what you t-told me, mamma--so at last he said
d-did ever he ask any lady to be his wife? 'I suppose not,' said I, 'or
you would be p-p-private property by now instead of p-public.'"

"Now there was a foolish speech; as much as to say nobody could resist
him."

"W-wasn't it? And n-no more they could. You have no idea how he makes
love; _so_ unladylike: keeps advancing and advancing, and never once
retreats, nor even st-ops. 'But I ask _you_ to be my wife,' said he. Oh,
mamma, I trembled so. Why did I tremble? I don't know. I made myself cold
and haughty; 'I should make no reply to such ridiculous questions; say
that to mamma, if you dare!' I said."

Mrs. Dodd bit her lip, and said, "Was there ever such simplicity?"

"Simple! Why that was my cunning. You are the only creature he is afraid
of; so I thought to stop his mouth with you. But instead of that, my lord
said calmly, 'That was understood; he loved me too well to steal me from
her to whom he was indebted for me.' Oh, he has always an answer ready.
And that makes him such a p-pest."

"It was an answer that did him credit."

"Dear mamma! now did it not? Then at parting he said he would come
to-morrow, and ask you for my hand; but I must intercede with you first,
or you would be sure to say 'No.' So I declined to interfere: 'W-w-what
was it to me?' I said. He begged and prayed me: 'Was it likely you would
give him such a treasure as Me unless I stood his friend?' (For the
b-b-brazen Thing turns humble now and then.) And, oh, mamma, he did so