"And what, my dear Miss Cullen, would be the nature of the quid pro quo?"
"I should want you to consent to my marrying."
"To consent to your marrying?--Ah!--I see!--If the matter is laid before me in due and proper form--it is possible that you have a certain individual in your mind's eye whom you are willing to make the happiest of men--and I was satisfied that he was a fit and a proper, person, and every care was taken to safeguard your interests--then, my dear Miss Cullen, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to give my consent to your being happily launched on what, I fear, is too often the troubled sea of marriage."
"That's not the sort of thing I want at all."
"No? Then what is the sort of thing you want, may I inquire?"
The young lady tapped her foot against the floor. For the first time she seemed to be not entirely at her ease.
"The fact is, I'm married already."
"Married--already? With the consent of the court?"
"Bother the court!"
"Young lady! Are you aware who it is to whom you are speaking?"