It is from no
girlish squeamishness, from no wish to exercise my short-lived power,
that I refuse to do what you now ask me. I would marry you tomorrow,
were you to ask me, did I not think that I should be wrong to do so. Am
I now not frank and honest?"
Henri put his arms round her waist, and clasped her to his bosom before
he answered her:
"You are, you are, my own, own love. You were always true, and honest,
and reasonable--so reasonable that--"
"Ah! now you are going to encroach."
"I am going to ask you once again to think of what I have said. It is
not to your love, but to your reason, that I now appeal."
"Well, Henri, we will leave love aside, and both of us appeal to reason.
Here she sits, always calm, passionless, and wise," and Marie put her
hand upon Agatha's arm. "We will appeal to Reason personified, and if
Reason says that, were she situated as I am, she would do as you now
wish me to do, I will be guided by Reason, and comply." Henri now turned
round to his sister, but Marie stopped him from speaking, and continued:
"I have pledged myself, and do you do likewise.
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