Page:Karl Gjellerup - Minna, A novel - 1913.djvu/237

 accepted if she, the day before you proposed to her, had known for certain that I loved her and was longing to marry her?… Very well, the supposition was false, and if you are a man of honour, you will not bind her to a promise that was given under such circumstances."

"I would never, under any circumstances, look upon her promise as binding if she herself did not feel that she was bound by it."

"Oh, but that is exactly where the shoe pinches, sir. I do not doubt that Minna has most of these esteemed prejudices, which are the chief ornaments of the weaker sex. Indeed, I mean it seriously: I, for my part, would not be without these prejudices in women, though no doubt it would make life easier and more agreeable. It is an extravagant luxury, but what are we to do? Modern nature contains such contradictions.… Therefore, it is very likely that Minna is inclined to consider this engagement as a bond for time and eternity. She is not exactly what one would call a character, but she certainly is a nature—and a faithful nature; and it would consequently be easy for you, without precisely forcing your claim or appealing to her constancy, still to keep her amiable, though somewhat narrow-minded, feeling of duty alive in your favour, not stretching the tie, but still holding it firmly, so long as she herself does not untie it. What I demand of you is, that you yourself shall let it go; understand me rightly, 'not give her up,' as you say, but only not make use of the advantage which this half-legitimate position gives you. I demand it of you as a gentleman, and, understand, not for my own sake—you would, of course, willingly see me hanged! But for Minna's sake you cannot wish—I will not believe that of a man to whom Minna has given such a promise—that she should be yours