Fannie, I ask you to marry me.
(She stares at him; the settee moves an inch nearer.)
MRS. BRIGGS
What?
INGOLDSBY
I ask you to marry me.
MRS. BRIGGS
Why, good gracious! I wouldn’t have my children know that anybody had said such a thing to me for all the kingdoms on earth!
INGOLDSBY (earnestly)
They needn’t know it till afterwards.