"What are you saying?" says Miss Chesney, half frightened, half amused: "you must be going mad! Do get up, Archie: you cannot think how ridiculous you look."
"Tell me you will marry me," entreats that young man, unmoved even by the fact of his appearing grotesque in the eyes of his beloved.
"No; I will not," shaking her head. "Archie, do move: there is the most dreadful spider creeping up your leg."
"I don't care; let him creep," says Archibald, valiantly; "I shan't stir until you give me a kind answer."
"I don't know what to say; and besides I can do nothing but laugh while you maintain your present position. Get up instantly, you foolish boy: you are ruining the knees of your best trousers."
Whether this thought carries weight with Mr. Chesney I know not, but certainly he rises to his feet without further demur.
"You spoke about the Park a few minutes ago," he says, slowly; "you know now you can have it back again if you will."
"But not in that way. Did you think I was hinting?" growing rather red. "No; please don't say another word. I wonder you can be so silly."
"Silly!" somewhat aggrieved; "I don't know what you mean by that. Surely a fellow may ask a woman to marry him without being termed 'silly.' I ask you again now. Lilian, will you marry me?"