Part 14 (2/2)
”If I was willing to overlook your offence”--Sir Tristram smiled--”I should require a _quid pro quo_.”
”And what, my dear Miss Cullen, would be the nature of the _quid pro quo?_”
”I should want you to consent to my marrying.”
”To consent to your marrying?--Ah!--I see!--If the matter is laid before me in due and proper form--it is possible that you have a certain individual in your mind's eye whom you are willing to make the happiest of men--and I was satisfied that he was a fit and a proper, person, and every care was taken to safeguard your interests--then, my dear Miss Cullen, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to give my consent to your being happily launched on what, I fear, is too often the troubled sea of marriage.”
”That's not the sort of thing I want at all.”
”No? Then what is the sort of thing you want, may I inquire?”
The young lady tapped her foot against the floor. For the first time she seemed to be not entirely at her ease.
”The fact is, I'm married already.”
”Married--already? With the consent of the court?”
”Bother the court!”
”Young lady! Are you aware who it is to whom you are speaking?”
”I am perfectly aware. I am speaking to the person who kissed me against my will.”
”Miss Cullen! I'm the Chancellor!”
”That for the Chancellor!”
She actually snapped her fingers in his face. He seemed to be speechless; though, perhaps, he only seemed so. When he did speak it was as if he were suffering positive pain.
”I find myself unable to believe that you are capable of realising the position in which I stand, the position in which you stand too.
Personal misusage I might endure. But, in this matter, I am impersonal. Take care! I represent in my poor person the majesty of English law.”
He turned as if to go. If he supposed that he had crushed her he was very much mistaken.
”Is that your last word, Sir Tristram?”
”Miss Cullen, it is my last.”
”Then, now, be so good as to listen to my last word. The Duke of Datchet is a magistrate. I will go straight to him and demand from him a warrant for your arrest.”
”A warrant for my arrest? Girl!”
”I presume that it is because I am a girl that you are enough of a man first to a.s.sault and then to bully me.”
Taking out his handkerchief Sir Tristram applied it to his brow.
”Am I mad, or you? Are you utterly impervious to any sort of reason?”
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