And when you become ashamed of me, I'll--" "I'll not wait, Betty," I answered, ignoring the latter half of her remark.

"I have a far better plan.

I am going to France, and you and your father shall go with me." "Ah, will you take him ?" she cried, falling to the floor on her knees, creeping between mine, and clasping her hands about my neck.

Her sweet, warm breath came to me like a waft from a field of roses, the fluffy shreds of her hair tingled my cheek, thrilling me to the heart, while the touch of her hand and the clasp of her arm carried me to heaven.
Then she laid her head on my breast, her lips came close to mine, and she murmured with a sigh:-- "Now, Baron Ned, as you will." I told Betty to call Pickering, and when he came in I related my story.
I told him how Betty and I were of one mind, how George had prospered in France and had invited me to share his good fortune, how I wanted to go to France and to take Bettina with me, and how I wanted him to sell the Old Swan and go with us to the fair land across the Channel, where his wealth would give him station such as he deserved.
Immediately he objected, saying that the scheme was impossible.

He said that he could sell the Old Swan for a great sum to Robbins, of the Dog's Head, and that all he possessed, aside from the inn, was in gold, lodged with Backwell, but for all that, my plan could not be considered for a moment.
"My dear Pickering, hear my side of the case," I insisted, determined to win this last bout as I had won the others.