Part 22 (1/2)
”The Symbolical Nature of the Mosaic Economy,” said Despard, placidly
”And is the title all your own?”
”All my own”
”Then pray don't write the book The title is enough Publish that, and see if it does not of itself by its own extraordinaryseriously of doing so,” said Despard, ”and I don't know but that I may follow your advice It will save some trouble, and perhaps amount to just as much in the end”
”And do you often have such brilliant fancies?”
”No, frankly, not often I consider that title the one great idea of my life”
”But do not dwell toovoice ”It ht make you conceited”
”Do you think so?” rejoined the other, with a shudder ”Do you really think so? I hope not At any rate I hope you do not like conceited people?”
”No”
”Am I conceited?”
”No I like you,” replied Mrs Thornton, with a slight bow and a wave of the hand, which she accompanied with a smile
”And I like you,” said Despard, in the same tone
”You could not do less”
”This,” said Despard, with an air of thoughtful seriousness, ”is a solemn occasion After such a tender confession from each of us what remains to be done? What is it that the novels lay down?”
”I'm sure,” returned Mrs Thornton, with the same assumed solemnity, ”it is not for me to say Youless than fly together”
”I should think not”
”But where?”
”And not only where, but how? By rail, by steamboat, or by canal? A canal strikes ht It is secluded”
”Free from observation,” said Despard
”Quiet,” rejoined Mrs Thornton
”Poetic”