Now you are very anxious to know what it is, are you not ?" "I have some curiosity; yet I have no doubt that I shall treat your proposition with contempt." "Oh, no, you won't.

Your life depends on your acceptance." "I can best answer you when I know what your proposition is." "It is this.

I am enamoured of your sister.

She rejects my suit.

Now, if she will consent to become my wife, you shall have your liberty." It was well for Peram that Robert Stevens was chained to the wall, or it would have fared hard for the little fellow.