“After all, Sir Marcus, you can scarcely suppose that my sister is prepared for such a proposition.”
“Sir, they are always prepared for it. It never takes them unawares. I have made them my study for years, and I do think I have some knowledge of their way of thinking and acting. I 'll lay my life on it, if you will go and say, 'Maria'—”
“My sister's name is Julia,” said the other, dryly.
“It may be, sir—I said 'Maria' generically, and I repeat it—'Maria, there is in my study at this moment a gentleman, of irreproachable morals and unblemished constitution, whose fortune is sufficiently ample to secure many comforts and all absolute necessaries, who desires to make you his wife;' her first exclamation will be, 'It is Sir Marcus Cluff.'”
“It is not impossible,” said L'Estrange, gravely.
“The rest, sir, is not with you, nor even with me. Do me, then, the great favor to bear my message.”
Although seeing the absurdity of the situation, and vaguely forecasting the way Julia might possibly hear the proposition, L'Estrange was always so much disposed to yield to the earnestness of any one who persisted in a demand, that he bowed and left the room.
“Well, George, he has proposed?” cried Julia, as her brother entered the room, where she sat with Nelly Bramleigh.
He nodded only, and the two girls burst out into a merry laugh.
“Come, come, Julia,” said he, reprovingly. “Absurd as it may seem, the man is in earnest, and must be treated with consideration.”