"I should sit as serene as a brazen statue, and receive it
without a quaver," he promised.
"Well, then," said she, leaning forward a little, and dropping
her voice, "why don't you take your courage in both hands, and
ask her?"
Peter stared.
"Be guided by me--and do it," she said.
"Do what?" he puzzled.
"Ask her to marry you, of course," she returned amiably. Then,
without allowing him time to shape an answer, "Touche!" she
cried, in triumph. "I 've brought the tell-tale colour to your
cheek. And you a brazen statue! 'They do not love who do not
show their love.' But, in faith, you show yours to any one
who'll be at pains to watch you. Your eyes betray you as often
as ever you look at her. I had n't observed you for two
minutes by the clock, when I knew your secret as well as if you
'd chosen me for your confessor. But what's holding you back?
You can't expect her to do the proposing. Now curse me for a
meddlesome Irishwoman, if you will--but why don't you throw
yourself at her feet, and ask her, like a man?"
"How can I?" said Peter, abandoning any desire he may have felt
to beat about the bush. Nay, indeed, it is very possible he
welcomed, rather than resented, the Irishwoman's meddling.
"What's to prevent you?" said she.
"Everything," said he.
"Everything is nothing. That?"
"Dear lady! She is hideously rich, for one thing."
"Getaway with you!" was the dear lady's warm expostulation.
"What has money to do with the question, if a man's in love?
But that's the English of it--there you are with your
cold-blooded calculation. You chain up your natural impulses as
if they were dangerous beasts. Her money never saved you from
succumbing to her enchantments. Why should it bar you from
declaring your passion."
"There's a sort of tendency in society," said Peter, "to look
upon the poor man who seeks the hand of a rich woman as a
fortunehunter."
"A fig for the opinion of society," she cried. "The only
opinion you should consider is the opinion of the woman you
adore. I was an heiress myself; and when Teddy O'Donovan
proposed to me, upon my conscience I believe the sole piece of
property he possessed in the world was a corkscrew. So much
for her ducats!"
Peter laughed.
"Men, after coffee, are frequently in the habit of smoking,"
said she. "You have my sanction for a cigarette. It will keep
you in countenance."