And with a burst of real eloquence he went on to declare all sorts of things that he would do for her.

He would drive her to see her mother every week--take her to London--settle so much money upon her--Heaven knows what he did not promise, suggest, and tempt her with.

But it availed nothing.

She interposed with a stout negative, which closed the course of his argument like an iron gate across a highway.

Darton paused.
'Then,' said he simply, 'you hadn't heard of my supposed failure when you declined last time ?' 'I had not,' she said.