"What have you to be ashamed of?"
"Ever so much," said Bridget. "So many men would like to shut us up in
harems, wouldn't they?"
"It depends on the woman," returned the colonel.
"I assure you it would never answer in my case," she exclaimed.
"Neither bolts nor bars would keep me in."
"My dear," he said, "you drive me half out of my mind. You give me no
peace."
"Oh, you poor thing!" she murmured, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"Say you will be my wife and have done with it," he urged.
"Now, supposing--only supposing that I were foolish enough----"
"You will," he cried, and doubtless he looked a little ridiculous as he
went down on one knee. The joint, too, was stiffer than usual this
morning.
"What do you imagine," she suggested, "that Carrissima would say--and
your son!"
At this alarming reminder Colonel Faversham made an attempt to rise,
but to his annoyance a cry of pain escaped. Unable for the moment to
straighten his knee, he remained at Bridget's feet, conscious of the
anti-climax.
"Let me help you," she said, sympathetically offering her hand.
"Good heavens!" he cried; "why do you imagine I require help! I am
quite able to help myself.
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