Page:Sylvester Sound the Somnambulist (1844).djvu/242

"My dear sir! say whatever your feelings may prompt, and be assured of this, that nothing that you may say, will be at all displeasing to me."

"Well, now that's very kind. It's exactly like you. I appreciate it, believe me, as I appreciate every feeling and every principle by which you are guided; but then, I'm no nearer the mark—not a bit! However, do me the favour to listen for a moment, and I'll make something like an attempt."

The reverend gentleman then drew his chair nearer to the couch upon which Aunt Eleanor sat, and having taken her hand affectionately in his, thus proceeded:—

"The parsonage—the house in which I live—is, as you are well aware, a nice house—a substantial, well-built, roomy house, with a garden attached—a beautiful garden—surrounded by a capital wall: very well. Now, the cottage in which you reside, is a very nice cottage; there is also a garden attached to that, and, albeit it is not surrounded by a wall, it is still a very beautiful garden. But do you not think, that if you were to leave this cottage and come to live with me in that house, you would make me one of the happiest men alive? and, do you not believe that I would endeavour to promote your happiness by all the means at my command?"

"That I do most fervently believe."

"Very good! Again. The affair, I apprehend, might thus be managed: I might, some fine morning, proceed to this cottage and take you to church, and when the marriage ceremony had been performed, we might leave the village for a month or so, and then return to that house together, and live in peace, harmony, and love. Do you not think it might be managed thus?"

"Certainly, it might be thus managed."

"And do you not also think that we had better thus manage it?"

"That is another question, altogether!"

"I am aware of it: but what are your feelings upon the point—that is to say—what is your impression?"

"Why, my impression is that—to use parliamentary language—this debate had better be adjourned: in other words, that we had better wait until we get back again to Cotherstone, and calmly talk the matter over there."

"Very good! I am not an impetuous man: I have no desire at all to be precipitate; but you really must promise me this, that if in the interim any stout individual should in reality solicit you hand, you will not let him have it."

"I will promise this, and more: I will promise that if any individual should do so, no matter whether he be stout or thin, I'll not marry without your consent."

The reverend gentleman, hereupon, kissed the hand he held, and, having done so, felt perfectly happy.

"And now," said he, after a pause, during which they most affectionately reciprocated each others' glances, "when do you think of returning?"