" He paused, and smiled awry
to himself as he contemplated the finger-nails. "Or, rather, I should put
it, not the first time he has talked to young ladies of being engaged to
them."
Deleah sat silent, determined not to speak till speech was absolutely
demanded of her.
"It has not cost my brother much to change his mind," Sir Francis said,
and dropped his hand and looked at the pretty girl sitting before him.
"Since he has to do it so often, that is well," Deleah said.
"It is well, in a way," Sir Francis agreed. "But supposing that he took an
irretrievable step, and then changed his mind?"
"That would be more serious," Deleah admitted.
"You understand what I mean, Miss Day?"
"Perfectly. You mean, supposing he married me and then repented, not
having been given time to repent beforehand. Having been taken at his word
as soon as he spoke--and snatched up."
"That is putting the case more strongly than I had thought of doing;
but--"
"But it is what you mean?"
"You are not offended, I hope?"
"No; because I quite understand. It would be surprising if you did not
feel as you do about it."
Her voice shook a little, and Sir Francis felt compunction. After all,
from the girl's side of the question, what a sacrifice this was he was so
coolly demanding of her.
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