And now, as he thought, had come the time for pressing his suit. With
widows, he had been told, the wooing should be brisk. He had already once
asked her to be his wife, and of course she knew the motive of his journey
down to Scotland. "Dearest Lady Eustace," he said suddenly, "may I be
allowed to renew the petition which I was once bold enough to make to you
in London?"
"Petition?" exclaimed Lizzie.
"Ah, yes: I can well understand that your indifference should enable you
to forget it. Lady Eustace, I did venture to tell you--that--I loved you."
"Mr. Emilius, so many men have told me that."
"I can well believe it. Some have told you so, perhaps, from base,
mercenary motives."
"You are very complimentary, sir."
"I shall never pay you any compliments, Lady Eustace. Whatever may be our
future intercourse in life, you will only hear words of truth from my
lips. Some have told you so from mercenary motives." Mr. Emilius repeated
the words with severity, and then paused to hear whether she would dare to
argue with him. As she was silent, he changed his voice, and went on with
that sweet, oily tone which had made his fortune for him.
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