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 "Sorry, can't oblige you. I want to talk to you and this is a good opportunity."

"We've nothing in common, Mr. Marley and a gentleman will not annoy a lady with his presence when his presence is undesired. I may as well be frank with you.—Yours is."

"Well, I'm here and I'm going to have my say. I've known you ever since a boy and always liked you. I like you more now and want to marry you. Lida, I want you for my wife."

"So this is a proposal, is it? Despite objections."

"Your father doesn't object."

"No, but I do—and I'm the principal. Besides, I don't love you and never will, never could for that matter. And another thing, I'm in love with someone else. Engaged to him."

"I know all about that. You'll never marry him.—Never have a chance. No use trying.—They won't let you off this place."

"Won't let me off? Who'll stop me?" she asked as she stamped her foot angrily.

"I won't for one," Marley stated. "I'm going to watch to see you don't."

"You call that the act of a gentleman—you call that the act of love, do you?"

"Yes, it's to save you from yourself."

"Oh, you're just offering yourself as a victim to save me from marrying the one I love!" she exclaimed indignantly.