"What of that, man?"
"Everything! Don't you know that in this reputable province, called
Virginia, blood goes a great way? Cousins are invariably favorites."
"You are very much mistaken, sir," said Fanny.
"There it is—you girls always deny it, and always believe it," said
Mr. Ralph, philosophically. "Now, you would die for me."
"Die, indeed!"
"Would'nt you?"
"Fiddlesticks!"
"That's an impressive observation, and there's no doubt about your meaning, though the original signification, the philological origin of the phrase, is somewhat cloudy. You won't expire for me, then?"
"No!"
"Then live for me, delight of my existence!" said Mr. Ralph Ashley, with a languishing glance, and clasping his hands romantically as he spoke; "live for one, whose heart is wrapped in thee!"