Page:Sylvester Sound the Somnambulist (1844).djvu/198

"I'll explain. Suppose that one of these evenings, Julia, of whom you have been speaking to night, were to take her most valuable ring from her finger, and beg your acceptance of it; would you ac cept it?"

"Suppose," replied Tom, "that this chicked, which we have just beed pullidg literally libb frob libb, were to start up whole, add, shakidg its feathers, ask us what o'clock it was; would you tell it?"

"Nay, that's impossible!"

"I hold the wud case to be just as possible as the other. Were I to ask her to accept a ridg, there wouldd't be a great deal of doubt about the batter; but the idea of her askidg be to accept wud of her, is too rich for ady bad's stobach."

"I don't know that," returned Sylvester calmly; "I merely said, suppose—I put it so—suppose she were earnestly to beg your acceptance of a ring, would you have it?"

"Well, I dod't exactly kdow—but I thidk I should."

"You think you would! come to the point; would you or would you not, under such circumstances refuse it?"

"Do, I wouldd't," replied Tom; "I'd take it."

"Very well. Now, while you were conversing with your friends this evening, she begged of me to accept this ring, and to keep it in remembrance of her."

"Is it possible! What Julia!"

"Yes. I at first refused; but at length I consented to accept it, on condition that she would allow me to present her with something of equal value. She agreed to this, and here is the ring. Now what do you think of it?"

"Why, you abaze be! I thought there was sobethidg goidg od at the tibe!—but I couldd't have ibagided this possible. I say, by boy," he added, gravely, "be careful. This towd is studded with rub uds!"

"But she is most amiable: have you not said?—kind hearted and virtuous?"

"I do dot believe that there's a bore virtuous girl id the udiverse! Still she bay be artful. She bay have sobe latedt desigd: what I believe her to be add what she is, bay be diabetrically opposite. All I say is, by boy, be od your guard. This bay be but a draw. Dod't be fixed. Were she id a bore respectable positiod, it wouldd't batter so buch, but as it is—"

"A more respectable position!" echoed Sylvester. "Is it not respectable in the correct sense of the term? and have you not shown that none can blame her for being, under the circumstances, in that position?"

"Yes, by boy: still, the sphere frob which a bad takes a wife is looked at bore thad that id which he hibself bay have boved."

"Oh!" exclaimed Sylvester, "do not imagine I'm going to marry the girl! Don't imagine that I'm in love with her! for I am not! She's very amiable, very elegant, very fascinating, and very graceful, but as for being in love with her!—the idea never entered my imagination."

"I'b glad to hear it," said Tom. "All I said was—add all I wish to repeat is—be od your guard!"