‘Simply that our engagement should be over.’

‘And why?’

’Because it is not a fitting one for you to have made.  I did not understand it before, but now I do.  It will not be good for you to marry an American girl.  It will not add to your happiness, and may destroy it.  I have learned, at last, to know how much higher is your position than mine.’

‘And I am to be supposed to know nothing about it?’

’Your fault is only this that you have been too generous.  I can be generous also.’

’Now, look here, Caroline, you must not be angry with me if on such a subject I speak plainly.  You must not even be angry if I laugh a little.’

‘Pray do not laugh at me! not now.’

’I must a little, Carry.  Why am I supposed to be so ignorant of what concerns my own happiness and my own duties?  If you will not sit down, I will get up, and we will take a turn together.’  He rose from his seat, but they did not leave the covered terrace.  They moved on to the extremity, and then he stood hemming her in against a marble table in the corner.  ’In making this rather wild proposition, have you considered me at all?’

‘I have endeavoured to consider you, and you only.’

’And how have you done it?  By the aid of some misty, far-fetched ideas respecting English society, for which you have no basis except your own dreams, and by the fantasies of a rabid enthusiast.’

‘She is not rabid,’ said Caroline earnestly; ’other people think just the same.’

’My dear, there is only one person whose thinking on this subject is of any avail, and I am that person.  Of course, I can’t drag you into church to be married, but practically you can not help yourself from being taken there now.  As there need be no question about our marriage which is a thing as good as done—­’

‘It is not done at all,’ said Caroline.

’I feel quite satisfied you will not jilt me, and as I shall insist on having the ceremony performed, I choose to regard it as a certainty.  Passing that by, then, I will go on to the results.  My uncles, and aunts, and cousins, and the people you talk of, were very reasonable folk when I last saw them, and quite sufficiently alive to the fact that they had to regard me as the head of their family.  I do not doubt that we shall find them equally reasonable when we get home; but should they be changed, should there be any sign shewn that my choice of a wife had occasioned displeasure, such displeasure would not affect you.’

‘But it would affect you.’

’Not at all.  In my own house I am master, and I mean to continue to be so.  You will be mistress there, and the only fear touching such a position is that it may be recognised by others too strongly.  You have nothing to fear, Carry.’

‘It is of you I am thinking.’