Page:The New Monthly Magazine - Volume 095.djvu/269

262 say, and then retires where he can overhear the conversation. Link on entering, bows low, and says:

After sundry attempts at conversation, to which she never makes any reply but "no," Link exclaims:

Well, I shan't stand shilly-shallying any longer. After all I have been saying, you can't doubt my intentions, so I'll e'en come to the point at once. I love you—I

Sophia (with pretended astonishment). No!

Link. Not no, but yes. It is the positive truth; and now I shall make so bold as to ask you the important question at once. Suppose 1 were to say to you—"Miss Gamstrup, here stand I before you. My condition and my circumstances are known to you—you see my figure, my air, my manner, my dress. Will you, seeing all that I present to your consideration, make me happy by bestowing on me your dear little hand, and your not less dear little heart?" Suppose I were to say all this to you, what would you answer?

Sophia. No.

Link. That is rather an unpleasant word, but you smile while you say it, therefore perhaps you don't mean it. Come, now, you don't really mean it?

Sophia. No.

Link. Thank Heaven! that's just what I thought. You mean to give me every hope?

Sophia. No.

Link. Why not? I cannot understand you at all. Ah! you are joking, I see; but pray let me have no more no's from your pretty mouth. I shall be satisfied with an equally short answer, which 1 shall dictate myself. Y—e—s, what does that spell?

Sophia. No.

Link. Nay, nay, pardon me—it spells yes. (Aside.) Her education must have been dreadfully neglected.

A lesson let me give to you:

In no, there are but letters two;

It is a word short, but not sweet.

Which folks don't often like to meet.

Yes, like the Graces, numbers three,

And oh! but say that word to me!

Now, y—e—s, how do they go?

They make—let's hear—they make a—