"I really was glad when I heard of it! To tell you the truth, I had
hoped for it. If there is a man living whom I respect, it is Arnold.
There's no end to his good qualities. A downright good and sensible
fellow!"
"Of course I'm very glad you think so, Eustace," replied his sister,
stooping to pick up a shell.
"Indeed I do. I've often thought that one's sister's choice in
marriage must be a very anxious thing; it would have worried me
awfully if I had felt any doubts about the man."
Irene was inclined to laugh.
"It's very good of you." she said.
"But I mean it. Girls haven't quite a fair chance, you know. They
can't see much of men."
"If it comes to that," said Irene merrily, "men seem to me in much
the same position."
"Oh, it's so different. Girls--women--are good. There's nothing
unpleasant to be known about them."
"Upon my word, Eustace! _On n'cest pas plus galant_! But I really
feel it my duty to warn you against that amiable optimism. If you
were so kind as to be uneasy on my account, I shall be still more so
on yours. Your position, my dear boy, is a little perilous."
Eustace laughed, not without some amiable confusion. To give himself
a countenance, he smote at pebbles with the head of his
walking-stick.
"Oh, I shan't marry for ages!"
"That shows rather more prudence than faith in your doctrine."
"Never mind. Our subject is Arnold Jacks.
Pages:
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307