The youth was silent.
“The idea of an ambitious youth, at twenty, giving up book and candle, leaving his studies, and abandoning himself to despair, because his sweetheart won't be his sweetheart any longer, gives us a very queer idea of the sort of ambition which works in his breast.”
“Don't, sir, don't, I pray you, speak any more in this manner.”
“Nay, but, William, ask yourself. Is it not a queer idea?”
“Spare me, sir, if you love me.”
“I do love you, and to show you that I do, I now recommend to you to propose to Margaret Cooper.”
“What, sir, you do not think it utterly hopeless then?”
“Yes, I do.”
“And you would have me expose myself to rejection?”
“Exactly so!”