And moreover, since she had seen Phineas she had refused an offer of marriage from Mr.
Elias Bodkin,--had refused it almost ignominiously,--and when doing so had told herself that she would never be false to Phineas Finn.
"We think it so good of you to come to see us again," she said.
"Good to come home to my own people ?" "Of course you might be staying with plenty of grandees if you liked it." "No, indeed, Mary.

It did happen by accident that I had to go to the house of a man whom perhaps you would call a grandee, and to meet grandees there.

But it was only for a few days, and I am very glad to be taken in again here, I can assure you." "You know how very glad we all are to have you." "Are you glad to see me, Mary ?" "Very glad.

Why should I not be glad, and Barbara the dearest friend I have in the world?
Of course she talks about you,--and that makes me think of you." "If you knew, Mary, how often I think about you." Then Mary, who was very happy at hearing such words, and who was walking in to dinner with him at the moment, could not refrain herself from pressing his arm with her little fingers.

She knew that Phineas in his position could not marry at once; but she would wait for him,--oh, for ever, if he would only ask her.