"Desperately. Come, sir, you hesitate, it seems to me. This is a chance that does not come every day."
"Heavens and earth, what am I to say?"
"Say you accept. You asked my advice once, and now I give it to you again."
"But I do not love her."
"A mere bagatelle. You would very soon."
"I am of another opinion. I could never love her, for the reason,"—he paused an instant,—"for the reason that I love some one else."
"Ah! if you are married, that settles it."
"I am not married."
"Young man, you are a great fool then." The lawyer was really waxing angry. "This young lady is the superior of any man I know. You are throwing away a prize."
"That may be, sir. But if you recall a speech I made in this office some six months ago, you will remember that I said I was a gentleman. If I should accept the offer you make me, I should be one no longer. And I prize my reputation in that respect more than I cherish anything in the world."