‘Fancy!’ said the boy solemnly. ‘The happiness of my life is at stake. She shall be the sharer of all that is mine, the moment my property is in my own hands.’
‘And do you think so high-minded a girl would listen to you, and take advantage of a fancy in a boy so much younger, and of a different class?’
‘It would be ecstasy to raise her, and lay all at her feet!’
‘So it might, if it were worthy of her to accept it. Gilbert, if you knew what love is, you would never wish her to lower herself by encouraging you now. She would be called artful—designing—’
‘If she loved me—’ he said disconsolately.
‘I wish I could bring you to see how unlikely it is that a sensible, superior woman could really attach herself to a mere lad. An unprincipled person might pretend it for the sake of your property—a silly one might like you because you are good-looking and well-mannered; but neither would be Genevieve.’
‘There is no use in saying any more,’ he said, rising in offended dignity.
‘I cannot let you go till you have given me your word never to obtrude your folly on Miss Durant again.’
‘Have you anything else to ask me?’ cried Gilbert in a melodramatic tone.
‘Yes, how would you like your father to know of this? It is her secret, and I shall keep it, unless you are so selfish as to continue the pursuit, and if so, I must have recourse to his authority.’