“Yes,” said Dick, thus appealed to, “the sad story is but too true; I wish for your sake it was not.”

This was said with some feeling, and it had more effect upon Eveline than even the horrid recital given by Bill, but she felt the necessity of crushing down all tender feelings, and with a masterly effort succeeded in doing so, then replied: 

“You will pardon me, gentlemen, for having seemed to express a doubt on the subject of your narrative; we are apt to judge persons by the company they keep, and knowing your friend here,” (pointing to Duffel,) “is very much given to telling falsehoods, I thought it possible you might have formed that detestable habit through his example; I trust, however, it is not the case.”

Duffel boiled with internal rage at this remark; but suppressing his anger, he conducted his allies out of the room, gave them some directions, and then returned to impose his unwelcome presence and conversation upon Eveline, who had no means of avoiding him, but was compelled to hear his words.

“I hope,” said he, “you are now satisfied of the truth of my declaration, that Hadley is dead.”

“He may be; but I say now, as I said before, I do not know that he is; but admitting that he is dead, what difference does it make?”

“Why not much, it is true, and I think I took the liberty of saying so yesterday.  I only wish, by proving the certainty of this event, to show you the folly of continuing longer to set your affections upon him, provided you have been doing so heretofore.”

“And suppose I should cease to remember him, what would that avail you?”

“I would then hope to be able to convince you of my own deep love, and in so doing of exciting a kindred sentiment in your own bosom.”

“Have you the presumption to believe that I could be brought to such a state of degradation of feeling, now that I know who and what you are, when I rejected you under far more favorable circumstances?  If you have, let me at once tell you, that in this instance, as in many others, your vanity has led you to entirely over-estimate your ability to please.  Perhaps some of my sex might be silly enough to listen to your well-turned speeches, but I can assure you the less you speak to me of love the better.”

“People often change their minds.”

“So they do; but I think you have pretty good reason to believe that I am not particularly liable to be charged with that failing.”

“Well, no, I believe I cannot charge you with that weakness; but I am sure you are very obstinate for one of your sex, which is not usually adjudged to be among the amiable characteristics of a lady.”

“A lady that has no mind of her own is no credit to the sex; but I am sorry to say there are too many of that class, at least we might readily suppose so by the easy manner in which they are taken captive with soft, silly nonsense, and smooth, flattering words.  If you admire such, the best thing you can do is to go and make love to them; you will progress much faster than you do here.”