“Then you don't like me to-day?”
“Oh yes, but I do. And I shall always like you: if you don't tease me, and urge me too much. It is hardly fair to hurry me so; I am only a girl, and girls make such mistakes sometimes.”
“That is true; they marry on too short an acquaintance. But you have known me more than two years, and, in all that time, have I once given you reason to think that you had a rival in my admiration, my love?”
“I never watched you to see. But all that time you have certainly honored me with your attention, and I do believe you love me more than I deserve. Please do not be angry: do not be mortified. There is no occasion; I am resolved not to marry until I am of age; that is all; and where's the harm of that?”
“I will wait your pleasure; all I ask you, at present, is to relieve me of my fears, by engaging yourself to me.”
“Ah! but I have always been warned against long engagements.”
“Long engagements! Why, how old are you, may I ask?”
“Only nineteen. Give me a little time to think.”
“If I wait till you are of age, THAT WILL BE TWO YEARS.”
“Just about. I was nineteen on the 12th of December. What is the matter?”