"Miss Harlan, do not be so foolish, I beseech you!"
"But I will do this only on one condition, and that is,—that he will marry me."
"What!"
I blushed before the lawyer's gaze and exclamation.
"Marry you?"
"Yes, Mr. Chelm. Do not be too much surprised. Trust me. I know what I am doing, believe me. Have I not hitherto usually been moderately sensible?"
"Up to this time I have regarded you as an uncommonly wise young woman; but this is sheer madness."
"As you please. But you will comply with my request if I insist?"
"He will accept the offer."
"If he does, you are to give me away, you remember. But I am sure he will not accept."