"No, my dear; you have no reason."
"Nor have you, papa."
"Nor have I. That is quite true. I have never been wont to be ashamed of myself;—nor do I think that you ever will have cause to be ashamed of yourself. Therefore, why should we hesitate? Shall I help you, my darling, in coming to a decision on the matter?"
"Yes, papa."
"If I can understand your heart on this matter, it has never as yet been given to this young man."
"No, papa." This Mary said not altogether with that complete power of asseveration which the negative is sometimes made to bear.
"But there must be a beginning to such things. A man throws himself into it headlong,—as my Lord Carstairs seems to have done. At least all the best young men do." Mary at this point felt a great longing to get up and kiss her father; but she restrained herself. "A young woman, on the other hand, if she is such as I think you are, waits till she is asked. Then it has to begin." The Doctor, as he said this, smiled his sweetest smile.
"Yes, papa."
"And when it has begun, she does not like to blurt it out at once, even to her loving old father."
"Papa!"