“And how if I do not believe you?”
“You would wrong me and give me pain, for I love you dearly.”
“In spite of that you have deceived me. I am sure that you have given marks of your affection to those three young ladies. For my part I pity them.”
“Why?”
“Because neither of them can flatter herself that you love her, and her alone.”
“And do you think that your delicacy of feeling makes you happier than they are?”
“Yes, I think so though of course, I have no experience in the matter. Tell me truly, do you think I am right?”
“Yes, I do.”
“I am delighted to hear it; but you must confess that to associate me with them in your attentions would not be giving me the greatest possible proof of your love.”
“Yes, I do confess it, and I beg your pardon. But tell me how I should set to work to ask the pastor to dinner.”