"But, Miles dear, think!"
"I have thought, and I've thought it out."
"You mean you want to marry her?"
Lady Mary spoke in an awed whisper.
"Just exactly that, and I don't care who knows it; but I'm not at all sure she wants to marry me ... that's why I don't want to rush my fences and get turned down. I'm a heavy chap to risk a fall, Aunt Mary."
"Oh, Miles! this is worse than anything Pen even dreamt of."
"What is? If you mean that she probably won't have me—I'm with you."
"Of course she'd jump at you—any girl would.... But a little nursemaid!"
"Come now, Aunt Mary, you know very well she's just as good as I am; better, probably, for she's got no pies nor starch in her pedigree. Her father's a Major and her mother was of quite good family—and she's got lots of rich, stingy relations ... and she doesn't sponge on 'em. What's the matter with her?"
"Please don't do anything in a hurry, dear Miles."