"Miss March," said he, "do you not think I am in earnest?
Do you not believe what I have said ?" "I have not the slightest doubt you are in earnest," she answered.
"The magnitude of the preparation proves it." "I am glad you said that, for it gives me the opportunity for making an explanation," said Lawrence.

"Our meeting at this place may be a carefully contrived stratagem, but it was not contrived by me.

I am very well aware that Mr Keswick also wishes to marry you--" "Did you see that in the Richmond _Dispatch_ or in one of the New York papers ?" interrupted Miss March.
"That is a point," said Lawrence, overlooking the ridicule, "which we need not discuss.

I am perfectly aware that Mr Keswick is my rival, but I wish you to understand that I am not voluntarily taking any undue advantage of his absence.

I believe him to be a very fair and generous man, and I would wish to be as open and generous as he is.