And now he stood up, looking at her with something really like love in his eyes, and Miss Furnival began to understand that if she so chose it the prize was really within her reach. But then was it a prize? Was not the other thing the better prize? The other thing was the better prize;—if only that affair about the Orley Farm were settled. Augustus Staveley was a good-looking handsome fellow, but then there was that in the manner and gait of Lucius Mason which better suited her taste. There are ladies who prefer Worcester ware to real china; and, moreover, the order for the Worcester ware had already been given.
"Sophia, let a man be ever so light-hearted, there will come to him moments of absolute and almost terrible earnestness."
"Even to you, Mr. Staveley."
"I have at any rate done nothing to deserve your scorn."
"Fie, now; you to talk of my scorn! You come here with soft words which run easily from your tongue, feeling sure that I shall be proud in heart when I hear them whispered into my ears; and now you pretend to be angry because I do not show you that I am elated. Do you think it probable that I should treat with scorn anything of this sort that you might say to me seriously?"
"I think you are doing so."
"Have you generally found yourself treated with scorn when you have been out on this pursuit?"
"By heavens! you have no right to speak to me so. In what way shall I put my words to make them sound seriously to you? Do you want me to kneel at your feet, as our grandfathers used to do?"
"Oh, certainly not. Our grandmothers were very stupid in desiring that."
"If I put my hand on my heart will you believe me better?"