“What's to be done, then?” asked he, in deep embarrassment.
“The first step is to ascertain what is fact,—the real extent of the misfortune.”
“And how is that to be accomplished?” asked he.
“Can you not think of some means?” said she, with a scarcely perceptible approach to a smile.
“No, by Jove! that I cannot, except by going over there one's self.”
“And why not that?” asked she, more boldly, while she fixed her large full eyes directly upon him.
“If you thought that I ought to go,—if you advised it and would actually say 'Go'—”
“Well, if I should?”
“Then I'd set off to-night; though, to say truth, neither the journey nor the business are much to my fancy.”
“Were they ten times less so, sir, I'd say, 'Go,'” said she, resolutely.