It is an argument to which you should not listen for a moment.

Make things straight indeed! Who can tell?
There would be very little made straight by such a marriage, if it were not that I loved you.

Violet, that is my plea, and my only one.

I love you so well that I do believe that if you took me I should return to the old ways, and become as other men are, and be in time as respectable, as stupid,--and perhaps as ill-natured as old Lady Baldock herself." "My poor aunt!" "You know she says worse things of me than that.

Now, dearest, you have heard all that I have to say to you." As he spoke he came close to her, and put out his hand,--but she did not touch it.