Page:Shirley (1849 Volume 3).djvu/288

 Why doubt it?'

You marry!'

Yes,—of course: nothing more evident than that I can, and shall.'

The contrary is evident, Mr. Moore.'

"She charmed me in this mood: waxing disdainful, half insulting, pride, temper, derision, blent in her large fine eye, that had, just now, the look of a merlin's.

Favour me with your reasons for such an opinion, Miss Keeldar.'

How will you manage to marry, I wonder?'

I shall manage it with ease and speed when I find the proper person.'

Accept celibacy!' (and she made a gesture with her hand as if she gave me something) 'take it as your doom!'

No: you cannot give what I already have. Celibacy has been mine for thirty years. If you wish to offer me a gift, a parting present, a keepsake, you must change the boon.'

Take worse, then!'

How? What?'

"I now felt, and looked, and spoke eagerly. I was unwise to quit my sheet-anchor of calm even for an instant: it deprived me of an advantage and transferred it to her. The little spark of temper dissolved in sarcasm, and eddied over her countenance in the ripples of a mocking smile.

Take a wife that has paid you court to save your modesty, and thrust herself upon you to spare your scruples.'