“Yes, that is what I said.”
“Well, my lord, I am bound to believe you.”
“And what say you?”
“At present I do not choose to say anything. So let that pass.”
“Not say anything?”
“No, certainly not. I am a free agent and reserve to myself the right of placing my affections on the man I deem worthy of them.”
“And am I not worthy of them?”
“I do not say you are not.”
“But you will not say I am. Is that what you mean?”
“As time goes on I shall be better able to judge. A fortress may be carried by storm, I suppose, but it would be indeed a vain attempt to gain the heart of a woman by any such means—certainly not my heart. I only speak of myself.”